861.24/582
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
The Ambassador of the Soviet Government called and presented General Golikov. After the usual exchange of courtesies the General said he would like to make a statement to me in regard to the application of his Government for military supplies in this country.
I first proceeded to detail the interest I had taken in this matter while I was away and especially since my return. I then said I would be much interested to hear the General. The burden of his statement was that having presented the needs of his Government two weeks ago to Mr. Welles, there has been no result except a shipment of sixty planes to Russia. He then said that what they needed most were anti-aircraft and anti-tank guns; that they had asked for them at the outset most urgently, but that they have received none. I stressed my sympathetic interest in this matter and offered to redouble my efforts to aid in speeding the delivery of implements of war which Russia has specially requested.66
- Later this same day Ambassador Umansky sent to Secretary Hull a new list, numbered 02, “of materials urgently required for the national defense” of the Soviet Union, comprising 127,700 metric tons of annealed armor plate, unlimited quantities of tool steel, 2,000 metric tons of high speed steel, and 200 metric tons of carbide alloy tool tips, with delivery specified as “August-December 1941.” (861.24/533)↩