740.0011 European War 1939/554: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 26—8:03 a.m.]
614. In view of the fact Russia and Germany now have a common frontier with the probability of the establishment of direct rail traffic between Moscow and Berlin within the near future and having regard to the probable conclusion of a commercial treaty between Estonia and the Soviet Union which will provide for increased transit and storage facilities for Soviet goods through Estonia clearly designed to facilitate Russian supplies to Germany, the possibility arises that the Soviet Union will serve as a medium for the delivery to Germany of war materials from the United States and other neutral countries. It is accordingly quite possible that the Soviet Union may purchase war materials in the United States for ultimate transfer to Germany notwithstanding [Page 941] existing Neutrality Act,2 the provisions of which the Soviets would not scruple to evade, or in the alternative furnish Russian war materials to Germany and retain American purchases.
- Approved as amended May 1, 1937; 50 Stat. 121.↩