MOSCOW, 3 June 1944

I have the honour, following my despatch No MU28/44 of 4th May,
1944 [1], to submit herewith a report on the performance by this
Legation of its duties in connection with the protection of Polish
interests in the U.S.S.R. during the month of May, 1944.

2. As the result of a combination of circumstances, the past month
must be regarded as one of almost complete frustration in the few
fields of activity now open to us. In the first place, not a
single case has come to our notice of Poles obtaining exit visas
since it became necessary for applicants to appear in person
before the local militia authorities. Two months have now elapsed,
during which Poles have been submitting applications, and I cannot
avoid the conclusion that the Soviet authorities have no intention
of granting any exit visas to them while present conditions
continue.

3. The first obstacle, as has been pointed out in previous
despatches on the subject, is the fact that the Soviet authorities
insist on the presentation by applicants of valid Polish
passports, endorsed with valid entry and transit visas, and very
few Poles are now in possession of these. In cases where this
objection has not been raised or else would not be valid, other
reasons for refusal or delay have been given. Instances have been
brought to our notice in which local authorities are alleged to
have denied all knowledge of instructions on the subject, or to be
obliged to refer cases to district headquarters or even to Moscow.

In other cases, applicants have had their passports impounded and
have been told to obtain documents of various kinds from the
Legation. Then again, others to whom the British Embassy here has
authority to issue visas for Palestine have told us that the local
authorities have expressed willingness to endorse exit visas on
Palestine entry certificates. It has not been possible for us to
supply these people with such certificates, since they have no
real validity except when backed by valid passports and visas. It
therefore seems that the Soviet authorities, while no doubt at all
times maintaining a perfectly correct legal position, are meeting
all applications with requests for compliance with just one or two
more conditions than applicants are able to fulfil, in order,
perhaps, to give the impression that the Polish authorities, or
those acting on their behalf, are not prepared to take the trouble
to help them overcome the last obstacle.

[matter omitted]

J. MALONEY