Bose to Travel through Soviet Union, 9 February 1941

No. 36 4137/EO7154 7

The Director of the Political Department to the Embassy in the Soviet Union

Telegram

Special Security Handling                                                                  

BERLIN, February 9, 1941-9:40 p.m.

SECRET Received February 10-1:10 a.m.
No. 245 of February 8 Pol. VII 511 g.
[This number appears on the reply telegram No.278 of Feb 10 from Moscow. See footnote 4.]

Subhas Chandra Bose, fighter in the Indian freedom movement, now in Kabul, intends to travel to Germany through the Soviet Union. Bose, who was also active for a considerable time in Europe as leader of Indian students, was twice president of the Indian Congress. After . . .[omission indicated in original] with the Congress under Gandhi's leadership he founded the Forward Bloc, which is constantly preaching violence in the fight against England. He was arrested by the English at the outbreak of the war, but was able to escape to Afghanistan.

The German Minister in Kabul has sounded out the Soviet Ambassador there concerning [Bose's] passing through. [Constantin Mikhailov.] The latter suspects English intrigue behind Bose's wish, for the purpose of creating a conflict between the Soviet Union and Afghanistan. The Ambassador telegraphed Moscow regarding his misgivings concerning Bose.

Please inquire cautiously whether the Soviet Government is willing to permit the passage and to instruct the [Soviet] Ambassador [in] Kabul accordingly. I suggest that you indicate in this connection that we consider it more as a matter of personal asylum without according it any particular political significance. Wire your report. [Schulenburg reported in telegram No.278 of Feb 10 (98/108650) that the Foreign Ministry would examine the case. In telegram No.470 of Mar.3 (195/139121) he reported that the Soviet Government was ready to permit Bose to pass through the Soviet Union on his way to Germany.]

WOERMANN

From: US Department of State. Documents on German Foreign Policy, 1918-1945. Series D (1937-1945). Vol. XIII. The War Years June 23-December 11, 1941. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1964, 63-64.