740.0011 European War 1939/25741½
The People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union (Molotov) to the American Chargé in the Soviet Union (Henderson)98
Esteemed Mr. Henderson: I herewith communicate to you the following message of Premier I. V. Stalin to President Franklin D. Roosevelt:
“To President Roosevelt from Premier Stalin:
Esteemed Mr. President:
I thank you very much for your letter delivered to me today by General Hurley. I had with General Hurley a long conversation regarding questions of strategy. It seemed to me that he understood me and was convinced regarding the correctness of the strategy now followed by the Allies. He asked regarding the possibility of visiting one of our fronts and, in particular, of visiting the Caucasus. This possibility will be assured him.
No serious change has taken place during the last week on the Soviet-German front. In the nearest future we expect to begin our winter campaign. Preparation for it is now going on. I shall inform you regarding the course of the campaign.
All of us here are glad of the brilliant successes of the American and English armed forces in North Africa. Permit me to congratulate you on the victory. I heartily wish you further successes.
With sincere respect
Stalin
November 14, 1942”
The message indicated I have telegraphed to Mr. Litvinov for delivery to Franklin D. Roosevelt.
I wish you, Mr. Henderson, to accept [etc.]
- This translation was forwarded in a letter of November 16, 1942, from the Chargé in the Soviet Union to the Secretary of State.↩