Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The British Commonwealth; The Near East and Africa, Volume III

841.24/659a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)

Washington, August 6, 1941—7 p.m.

2994. Personal from Harriman:

“Brendan Bracken²⁷ asked me to report to him misconceptions that America had of Britain. Will you please tell him the belief is prevalent among political and business circles that:

1. Britain is using Lend-Lease materials to foster and retain her commercial export markets.

2. Large profits are being made by commercial interests in processing and distributing Lend-Lease raw materials.

I believe Bracken has an interest in getting the facts and seeing that in future accurate information is released from London so that the Americans will understand the British Government’s general attitude and will not be upset by accidental incidents that may occur from time to time even after the understanding which you are now working on is reached.”

Hull

27. British Minister of Information.