861.24/907: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley)
199. Personal for the Ambassador. The President has asked me to send you for your information the following message, which he yesterday asked Ambassador Litvinov to transmit direct to Mr. Stalin:3
“Grave difficulties are being met in the northern convoy route and Litvinov has been advised regarding the complications.4 I want to [Page 554] assure you, however, that we shall omit no effort in sending off the greatest possible number of ships. I want to express my appreciation to you for your cordial reception of Admiral Standley, of which I have been told.
As soon as I know of the route which will be taken by Molotov, whom I look forward to seeing, we shall undertake to provide and prepare immediate transportation for him. I earnestly hope that he can stay at the White House with me while he is here, but if it is desired, we can make available a private home which will be nearby. Roosevelt.”