Yellow Notebook #2 1 Translation of original Notes from KGB archival files by Alexander Vassiliev (1993-1996) Translated by Philip Redko, reviewed and edited by Alexander Vassiliev and John Earl Haynes (2007). [Pagination and formatting track the handwritten original notebook. Phrases in English in the original are italicized. Phrases that were transliterated from English to Russian in the original are in Arial font. Marginal comments in the left margin are chiefly page numbers from the archival file while those in the right margin are Vassiliev’s topic designations, his own comments, or notes to himself. Endnotes were added in translation.] ************************************************************************************************* File 36857 v. 1 “Prince” Laurence Duggan p.9 Report Laurence Duggan L.D.1. – b. in 1905 in NY. Ch-f of the Latin Amer. division of the State Dep. Graduated from Harvard Univ. in 1927. Salary at State Dep. 3200 doll. a year. Latin American Division Sumner Welles, undersecretary of State p.10 Photo with wife p.11 Report by source S-17 S-17 “I first met and became acquainted with Laurence in a circle of Amer. intellectuals, which, as I remember, consisted of: 1. Jessica Smith and her husband (at pres. J. Smith works at Pol-2 and edits the magazine “Soviet Review”).2 2. Gardner3 Jackson – a journalist and correspondent for a Canadian newspaper, took an active part in the trial of Sacco and Vanzetti, was close to the Amer. Comparty, from which he later distanced himself. Shared an apartment with a correspondent for TASS – Tag. At pres. works in the consumer division of the Agricultural Adjustment Admin. (AAA). An expansive man, likes to drink, has major connections among various circles of Washington soc-ty. 3. Miss Barrows – an official at the “Bureau of Education,” a social activist, has a wide circle of acquaintances in Wash-n. Figured in the Wirt affair as a member of the circle to which it was supposedly said that Roosevelt panders to the activities of the “Brain Trust,” who have set themselves the goal of communizing America. Institute of 4. Two American women, whose names I do not remember. International I know L’s father well – he is dir. of the Institute of Int’l Education. Education I got to know him about ten years ago through cultural affairs. During my many years of acquaintance with him, he invariably has stressed his friendly sentiments toward the USSR. p.12 Not long before the USA renewed diplomatic relations with the USSR, he had a conversation with Roosevelt regarding the recognition of the USSR by America and told me about this conversation. He also pointed out the indispensability of an acquaintance with Welles, bearing Welles in mind that the latter will play a role in the formation of the StateD’s polit. course vis-à-vis the USSR. The meeting took place, and the latter promised to exert his influence and render his assistance in the matter of renewing U.S. diplom. relations with the USSR. At pres. Welles is at the DOS4 in the position of assistant secretary5 for Lat. American countries. Welles is on friendly terms with Pearson – author of the book “Washington Merry-Go-Round.” L’s father, a vain man, spends more time on administrative duties than scholarly matters and is completely content to act as an adviser on Brazilian affairs for DOS. He does not have a fortune, but is well off. I was advised to take heed of Laurence by Miss Barrows, who recommended L. as someone who could be useful to us. She also informed us that she is aware that L. had voted for a candidate from the Comparty. Laurence is a young man, who got to DOS through the influence of his uncle, Welles.6 He works Yellow Notebook #2 2 as an adviser in the division of Lat. American countries. He is a very meek fellow by disposition and is under the influence of his wife, a very lively, energetic, and cheerful woman. Laurence is cultivated and reserved. He drinks occasionally, but always carries himself within the bounds of propriety. He lives modestly. It seems he does not have enough money, b/c he once p.13 blurted out that: “If I had enough money, I would be able to live well.” His circle of acquaintances consists mainly of – coworkers at the State Dep. and a small group – a cross section of the ranks of the intelligentsia.” p.14 Excerpt from a letter by “Nikolay” dated 3.10.34 “The meeting with Duggan took place. He made a decent impression, an educated, sensible, and seasoned man. With a positive reference for him and in view of his sentiments, we may turn directly to the question of recruitment after an appropriate check in two or three follow- up conversations. D-n is also of interest to us because through him we could gain access to Field – an adviser in the Euro. Division of the State Dep. with whom D. is on friendly terms.” [Fred]7 Field p.15 Letter by “Nord” dated 30.11.35 Nord [The first identifying particulars regarding L.D., with whom “Redhead” has become “Redhead” acquainted. We will call him “19.”] p.16 [During a lengthy discussion with “Redhead,” L.D. declared that he is sympathetic toward the USSR.] p.19 Personal data8 regarding Helen Boyd (wife of “19”). 1935 “Helen Boyd – wife of the ch-f of the Lat. Amer. div. at the State Dep. Lives with her husband not far from Washington – half an hour’s ride by car. Owns a house, garage, and yard outside the city. The house is tastefully decorated. The rooms are furnished in the antique Amer. style. The silver collections are interesting and attest to her good taste and wealth. Helen Boyd, roughly 28 years old, works on her own for the economic planning commission at the NRA. An extraordinarily beautiful woman: typically American, a tall blond, reserved, well-read, athletic, and independent. Disappointed after lack of success at the NRA and would like to “do something real.” Her husband does not have much influence over her. She could be exceedingly useful, if we could succeed in recruiting her. She was very courteous to “Redhead” and invited her to stay for a week to discuss “Communism in America.” Tom p.20 Note by “Redhead” about Helen Boyd. Redhead 29 years old, b. in NY. Father – a former building contractor, currently a gov’t expert on job supervision. 1 brother is a highly qualified bank employee. 2nd brother is a journalist. Mother – a typical middle Amer. housewife. The whole family lives in NY. For about two years Helen has held a senior post in Government Yellow Notebook #2 3 Federal Housing. Prior to that, she was secretary to General Johnson’s secretary – also a senior post. She specialized in political commentary and worked in that field for several years in NY prior to marriage. She is extremely dissatisfied with her work and very disappointed with the NRA, from which she obviously expected a great deal. She recently submitted an application requesting transfer to a diff. job, but she was turned down in light of her husband’s position. According to new regulations, a husband and wife cannot hold highly paid posts simultaneously and cannot transfer to new jobs. They can, however, remain in the posts they already hold. Because of this, she must remain in a job that does not satisfy her... During this time I met with Helen very frequently and saw Larry twice. On both occasions we held lengthy discussions about a future war and about the Brazilian situation, regarding which Larry openly declared that he stands “on the other side,” implying us... Larry also spoke rather candidly about the extremely negative role played by the U.S. official Hugh Gibson in the Prestes-Barron affair, he was deeply dismayed (and voiced his disapproval (reverse) in the State Department) that an Amer-n diplomat was functioning as a provocateur. He asked my opinion and conveyed to me “more information concerning the participation of the Germans (Berger) in this affair, in case it is of interest to me.” He spoke at length about Gibson’s career as Hoover’s9 right-hand man and of his recent activities in China. He also spoke about how easy it is to detect a forged passport, obtained with the aid of a genuine birth certificate. She, as did he, expressed a sincere desire to meet with me again, and invited me, very cordially, to visit them for a few days with my husband. Helen even asked me into her bedroom and showed me the view I could have from the window when I come for longer, which I promised to do. The Duggans’ income amounts to $10,000 a year, of which he earns 7,000 and she 3,000; the rent for the house is around $125 – it is not owned by them, contrary to what I previously thought. Larry’s father – Stephen P. Duggan, is head of the Institute of International Education. He is a liberal in the mold of Lincoln Steffens. He has one brother, who is a lawyer, and two sisters, one of whom is married and resides in England; the other is in school. The whole family is quite well-to-do and very well-educated.” p.17 C10 – “To Nord” Letter dated 25.1.36 “Regarding “19’s” wife.” We decided on her.11 It would be interesting to learn what is meant by “do something real.” “Redhead” needs to meet with her again and find out, in a conversation about Communism in America, how far she is willing to go and, in passing, what social circles she moves in and who her friends are, our future proposed course of action will be determined by this information.