Office of the Historian

The President of the Council of People’s Commissars of the Soviet Union (Stalin) to President Roosevelt 10

[Translation]
[Moscow ], May 15, 1942.

I thank you for the message conveyed through Ambassador Litvinov. I have already requested Prime Minister Churchill to contribute to the speediest overcoming of certain difficulties in connection with the transportation and convoying of ships to the U. S. S. R. Since the delivery of materials in May from the U. S. A. and England is of the utmost urgency, I make a similar request to yourself, Mr. President.

The journey of Mr. Molotov to the U. S. A. and England must be postponed for a few days owing to uncertain weather conditions. It appears that this journey can be made on a Soviet airplane both to England and to the U. S. A. I would at the same time add that the Soviet Government considers that Mr. Molotov’s journey should be accomplished without any publicity whatever till the return of Mr. Molotov to Moscow, as was done when Mr. Eden visited Moscow in December last.

In regard to the place of residence of Mr. Molotov during his sojourn in Washington, Mr. Molotov and I thank you for your kind suggestions.

  1. Copy obtained from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, N. Y. The President informed Secretary of State Hull of this message on May 20.↩