861.24/1664: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 15—9:45 a.m.]
1360. From Faymonville for Stettinius. Commissar regrets unfavorable action on project to transfer five ships to Soviet flag in September and five ships October. He repeats that this tonnage is necessary to accomplish minimum indispensable shipments during present favorable situation on Pacific Ocean. In addition he repeated five reasons for immediate action. These reasons were transmitted to you in my paragraph 3 cable 854, July 1:34 p.m. [July 14, 4 p.m.] Commissar has learned from assistants in America that rumors are afloat there to the effect that Russians are poor sailors, that Russians have made inadequate use of shipping tonnage transferred to Soviet flag, that is too late to make use of additional ships on trans-Pacific route before ports freeze up and there is no real requirement for additional transfer of ships. Commissar greatly incensed at rumors and denies that any such allegations are true. He fears that action in denying ships may have been influenced by unfavourable Washington opinion of Soviet seamanship and repeats that unfavourable opinion is unwarranted. [Faymonville.]