740.0011 European War 1939/12635a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt)
850. A. We have taken the following steps with regard to the Soviet Union since the outbreak of Soviet-German hostilities:
- 1.
- A general license under the Freezing Control Order was issued by the Treasury on June 24 with respect to transactions of the Soviet Union and its nationals. This general license so operates that the Soviet Union is in the same position as foreign countries not designated in the order.
- 2.
- The President authorized Mr. Welles on June 26 to state to the press that since the President had found that it was not necessary in the present instance for him to issue a proclamation invoking the provisions of the Neutrality Act in order to promote the security and peace of the United States, he had no intention of issuing such a proclamation.
- 3.
- No proclamation has as yet been issued modifying previous proclamations defining the combat areas so as to include Soviet Pacific ports.
B. On June 24 the President stated in substance that we would give all possible aid to the Soviet Union. He added that the Soviet Union had as yet not indicated the type of material assistance needed. [Page 774] On June 26 the Soviet Ambassador at his own request called on the Acting Secretary in order to inform him of the German attack. He did not bring up the question of assistance. Mr. Welles informed the Ambassador that in the light of the policy of the United States as announced by the President and by the State Department, any request for material assistance that the Soviet Government needed, to the United States Government, would be given immediate attention and as favorable consideration as possible.
We are at present reformulating our policy regarding the export to the Soviet Union of commodities subject to export control, and we will keep you advised of any additional steps taken by this Government in regard to the Soviet Union.