868.24/143a
The Under Secretary of State (Welles) to the Secretary of the Navy (Knox)
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I have received your letter of February 17, 1941, proposing a method of supplying Greece with certain tractors and trucks.
[Page 698]I see no objection to proceeding in the manner proposed if this transaction with Greece is to be treated as a separate matter. If it is to be so treated, I should think it would be necessary, as you mentioned, to endeavor to carry out the financing through the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. If you believe this is the best way of handling the matter, I should be glad to join with you in discussing it with Mr. Jesse Jones with a view to seeing whether we cannot immediately arrange the necessary financing.
However, the question arises whether the transaction might not be handled under the terms of the Lease-Lend Bill when that is enacted into legislation. In that case the matter of making preliminary arrangements for obtaining the trucks and tractors desired by Greece might appropriately be referred to the organization which is being set up to administer the Lease-Lend Bill.
Sincerely yours,