Memorandum by President Roosevelt to the Secretary of War (Stimson)77
As you know, I recently sent Mr. Harry Hopkins to Moscow, to inquire into Russian needs for munitions that might be obtained from American production, and to inform the U.S.S.R. that this Government is willing to help with such supplies to the extent of its ability.
As a result of that visit, and Mr. Hopkins’ report to Mr. Churchill and myself, a suggestion was sent to the U.S.S.R. that a conference be held in Russia in the near future, to be attended by representatives of Russia, Great Britain and this country, to have as its objective the formulation of definite munitions aid programs, to assist Russia in its war efforts, and which might be supplied by Great Britain and the United States.
Russia has accepted that suggestion, and the representatives of the various countries are to meet in Russia by October 1, 1941.
I deem it to be of paramount importance for the safety and security of America that all reasonable munitions help be provided for Russia, not only immediately but as long as she continues to fight the Axis powers effectively. I am convinced that substantial and comprehensive commitments of such character must be made to Russia by Great Britain and the United States at the proposed conference.
It is obvious that early help must be given primarily from production already provided for. I desire that your Department working in cooperation with the Navy Department, submit to me by September 10 next your recommendations of distribution of expected United States production of munitions of war, as between the United States, Great Britain, Russia and the other countries to be aided—by important items, quantity time schedules and approximate values, for the period from the present time until June 30, 1942.
I also desire your general conclusions as to the over-all production effort of important items needed for victory, on the general assumption that the reservoir of munitions power available to the United States and her friends is sufficiently superior to that available to the Axis powers, to insure defeat of the latter.
The distribution of production from existing production after June 30, 1942, and the distribution of the Victory Production Objective will obviously have to be decided at a later date, in the light of the then existing circumstances.
After the above reports and recommendations are submitted, I propose to arrange with the Prime Minister of England for a conference [Page 827] of high military officials, for the purpose of discussing the above two recommendations, as well as the aid to be provided by England to Russia. In view of the date on which the conference is to be held in Russia, it is important that the recommendations resulting from this British conference reach me not later than September 20 next.
With the knowledge of these recommendations, and after further consultation with the Prime Minister of Great Britain, I will be able to instruct the mission going to Russia as to the aid which will be supplied by this country. Should adjustments to this program of assistance be necessary, they will be recommended to me by the mission to Russia, after due consultation with the Russians and the British on the spot.
- Photostatic copy obtained from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, N. Y.↩