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27 January

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By Liakhovetsky, Ivan Mikhailovich (Maisky)

The Complete Maisky Diaries: Volume 2

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27 January

Doshchenko left for Moscow today. All our efforts came to nothing. I made a second visit to Cadogan on this matter on 29 December. I tried to prove Doshchenko’s innocence and insisted that his case should be reviewed. I demanded evidence of his guilt and remarked that the incident might have an adverse effect on Anglo-Soviet relations. Cadogan replied that at this time of war, every government has to increase its ‘vigilance’, that the Home Office has compromising evidence against Doshchenko – so there is nothing to be done. He dropped a hint that if we chose to make too much of the incident, it could ‘leak’ to the press. But he promised to contact the Home Office once more and ask for a more specific statement of the charge.

Cadogan’s silence lasted for five days. I then sent him a letter on 3 January, reminding him of his promise. I received his reply on 4 January, in which he informed me that, ‘Mr Doshchenko abused the hospitality of this country by seeking to collect confidential information by illegal methods.’

The wording of the charge was so elastic that it merely enhanced my suspicion that the matter lay not with Doshchenko himself, but somewhere else, that it was yet another ‘dirty trick’ in the attempt to provoke a rupture. It was absolutely clear that it would be impossible to vindicate Doshchenko. In fact, there was the danger that in view of the further deterioration in Anglo-Soviet relations, the Home Office might come out with yet another trick, such as bringing Doshchenko to court. I consulted with Moscow. It was decided to evacuate Doshchenko as soon as possible and submit a note of protest to the Foreign Office after his departure.

Meanwhile, a Home Office representative visited Doshchenko in prison and started asking him how long he intended to remain in prison, whether the Soviet government trusted him fully, and what he was up to in England. The official stressed that he was familiar with all the details of his negotiations with companies, and gave a few examples. Doshchenko says that he succeeded in wriggling out of these questions. There was no transcript of the interrogation. Doshchenko was not made to sign any papers.

Page 735

It took ten days to obtain the exit visa, tickets, etc. Doshchenko and his wife departed today. He was accompanied to Folkestone by Zonov, Feonov,

Nikolai Ivanovich Feonov, member of the Soviet trade delegation in Great Britain, 1938–45.

and… a police inspector. Correct procedure was followed. However, our request for Doshchenko to be released a day or two prior to his departure, in order for him to settle his affairs, was rejected by the Home Office.

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Document Details

Document Title27 January

AuthorLiakhovetsky, Ivan Mikhailovich (Maisky)

RecipientN/A

RepositoryN/A

ID #N/A

DescriptionN/A

Date1940 Jan 27

AOC VolumeThe Complete Maisky Diaries: Volume 2

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