DEAR MR. MITCHELL:

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP61-00391R000100180029-0
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 10, 2000
• Sequence Number: 29
• Publication Date: April 16, 1958
• Content Type: LETTER

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Mr, Lawrence Mitchell
East-West Contacts Office
Department of State
Washington 25, D. C.
Dear Mr. Mitchell:
THE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM
April 16, 1958
is a brief stAtement of vhat we expect to discuss at the inter-
national Arctic Conference, in Copenhagen May 19, 20, 215 also of what I
hope the Conference will recommend to the Nations concerned at the end
of the Conference.
The theory that America was originally settled from Asia via the
Bering Straits remains only a theory. A great many Dunes, Canadians and
Americana have been working on this question for the last two generations
and current theories in the vestern world are very munh at variance vith
theories advanced by the Russians. As you know, there has been much an-
thropclogical and archaeologicel work done by the Russians in Northeastern
Siberia in recent years. .31.1st one example of these differences in opinion
will serve. Almost all westerners look to Siberia and no traces of Eskimo,
west of the Kolyma. We have recently found traces of very ancient man in
the American Arctic, which have no parallel in Siberia.
After more than twenty years of work in the Arctic I am convinced that
these basic problems cannot be solved unless vesterners actually vork in
Siberia with the new generation of Russian scientists and unless Russians
are actually &own in the American Arctic 'what these very ancient sites
look like. Moreover, the Russian physical anthropologists rking on liv-
ing racea have a somewhat different system of measurement than those of us
in the west and they will never solve their problems of racial origins
unless they measure American natives in their own system Both the Russians
and the westerners are concerned about these teehnical difficulties in our
research and part of our discussions will certainly be concerned vith an
exchange of publications, translations, acientific terminology and with
discussions aa to What reeeirea urgent investigation. The Conference will
at least serve to iron out theae difficulties.
But the essential objective vill be to reach a proposal concerning
the exchange of scientists in the Arctic. I am not at all certain that
the Russian representatives at this meeting will join with us to recommend
State Dept. declassification St release instructions on file
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such an exchange in the Arctic, but I am optimistic after my discussions
in Moscow last Awe. Therefore I shall try to arrange and encourage a
recommendation somewhat as follows:
That the six Countries Concerned, i.e. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Fin-
land, Russia, Canada and the United States make it possible to carry out
combined international research in Anthropology and Archaeology in the
Arctic areas. Specifically, and to begin this intermational cooperation,
that two or three etcetera scientists be invited to vork in Chukoteky Land,
in Northeastern Siberia, pritarily at Bast Cape and Indian Point, but also
as far vest is the mouth of the Kolymie; that two or three Russians be in-
vited to work in Alaska, particularly at Cape Denbigh, Point Hope and Point
Barrow, but inland as far as Fhirbanks.
That Russians also be lavIted to work with Danish expeditions in West
Greenland and with a Canadian or Americen expedition in the vicinity of
Budsonsabey'Canadians and Danes also be invited to work in Northeastern
Siberia and if possible with a Russian expedition at the mouth of the Ob.
In every expedition the foreigners vill work with nationals of that country.
We know that the man attending the Conference are the ones who will
be involved in this exChange. Fbr example, Larsen of Denmark, I, and a
student of mine, would probably be the ones to work la Northeaster* Siberia,
with Levin or Okladnikov of the Academy of Sciences. Debate who :forked on
our Eskimo collections would undoubtedly be the man to measure a selection
of native peoples in Alaska. Okladnikov has already been invited to work
in West Greenland by the Danes, without reciprocity.
One specific thing that I weld like to arrange is the transfer of
Russians and, Americans at the Diomede Islands in the Bering Straits. This
would save us a great deal ia the cost of travel and be the most practical
way to reach the areas in vhich we are interested. If the &lesions are
able to go along with suCh recommendations I would, hope to bwgin the ex-
changes in the Spring of 1959. The working season in this pert of the
world is only about two months, Slay and August. The research in Canada
and the United States viii quite certainly be financed by this Museum,
the Danish National Mecum, the Arctic Institute and possibly the Canadian
Governmeat. We would expect that in each case the research would be fin-
anced in the euuntry la which it takes place.
We realize, of course, that in this area there are serious security
problems involved in foreign travel. Inmost cases we would have to work
through the Defense Departmett, the Coast Guard, or other parimilitary
organizations operating in the Fir North. For example, almost any travel
in the far north of Canada vould be carried out through the Arctic Insti-
tute and by means of Military aircraft. I presume this is true %a Siberia
also. Naturally? I am most anuious to see if the Russiene will at this
point accept such an arrangement for Siberia.
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We may end up with only pious generalities about the used. for
international cooperation, but it is certainly our intention to pin
this down to specific times, places and individuals if It Is possi-
ble at this point, I should come beck from the Conference with such
specific recommendations.
Very best 'wishes,
1411
Froelich Rainey
Director
YR : ad
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