740.0011 European War 1939/22681: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:40 p.m.]
237. For the President and the Secretary of State. My 227, July 2, 3 p.m., and 231, July 2, 11 p.m. The plan accepted by Stalin is similar to the one proposed by General Arnold which was presented by me to Stalin at my first interview (see Arnold’s letter to me dated March 10, 1942, and my telegram 126, April 24, 2 p.m.). With reference to representatives in Moscow, previous experience and the tenor of my recent conversation with Stalin indicate that a large military mission would be unwelcome at this time. I therefore recommend that an Air Officer of as high rank as possible who is familiar with all plans and details be sent here from Washington immediately and that my Military Attaché, Colonel Michela, and Naval Attaché, Captain Duncan, be named as the Army and Navy representatives respectively.
As an indication of good faith I wish to emphasize the importance of furnishing the Soviet Government as soon as possible of the exact number of planes that can be supplied by this route.