Page:FBI-FOIA-VENONAa.pdf/17



TO: The Director

FROM: D. M. Ladd

SUBJECT:

ESPIONAGE — R



''To advise you of the positive identification of Jurist — the cover name for a Soviet agent operating in 1944 and named by as Harry Dexter White, deceased. White was formerly the Administrative Assistant to former Secretary of the Treasury Morgenthau.''



''You have previously been advised of information obtained from concerning a Soviet espionage agent designated by the cover name of Jurist who was active during 1944. According to the previous information received from regarding Jurist, during April, 1944, he had reported on conversations between the then Secretary of State Hull and Vice President Wallace. He also reported on Wallace's proposed trip to China. On August 5, 1944, he reported to the Soviets that he was confident of President Roosevelt's victory in the coming elections unless there was a huge military failure. He also reported that Truman's nomination as Vice President was calculated to secure the vote of the conservative wing of the Democratic Party. It was also reported that Jurist was willing for any self-sacrifice in behalf of the MGB but was afraid that his activities, if exposed, might lead to a political scandal and have an effect on the elections. It was also mentioned that he would be returning to Washington, D. C., on August 17, 1944.''

The new information from indicates that Jurist and Morgenthau were to make a trip to Landon and Normandy and were leaving the united States on August 5, 1944.

On the basis of the foregoing, the tentative identification of Harry Dexter White as Jurtat appear to be conclusively established inasmuch as Morgenthau and White left the United States on a confidential trip to the Normandy beachhead on August 4, 1944, and they returned to the United States of August 17, 1944.