Office of the Historian

861.24/799

Memorandum by Mr. Edward Page, Jr., of the Division of European Affairs to the Assistant Chief of the Division (Atherton)

[Washington,] January 20, 1942.

Mr. Atherton: I telephoned General Spalding41 this morning regarding Colonel Faymonville’s telegram no. 10 of January 1442 with reference to the unsatisfactory deliveries of American supplies to the Soviet Union. General Spalding stated that he had drafted a telegram to Faymonville43 explaining in general and in detail the entire matter, that although his telegram would be sent to me during the course of the day it might be necessary to hold it up until Mr. Harry Hopkins44 had had a chance to go over it.

General Spalding added that the key to the Russian supply question was the shipping problem. He stated that on December 1 the general picture was excellent. However, upon our entry into the war it became impossible to obtain sufficient shipping. At the present time, he stated, there is a great amount of cargo ready to go forward to the Soviet Union if ships can be found. This problem is now being discussed in detail by the Strategic Shipping Board. He concluded that the aforementioned telegram would give the entire picture.

I may add that Mr. Batt45 whom I saw yesterday evening stated that a part of the blame for the unfulfilled deliveries was due to the delay of the Soviet authorities in not furnishing their specifications for various types of equipment until after the first of the year. Mr. Batt added that the Soviet Government had now agreed to accept American specifications if he so recommended. Mr. Batt also commented on increased shortages here and the difficulties of obtaining various types of equipment.

E[dward] P[age], Jr.
  1. Brig. Gen. Sidney P. Spalding, Office of Lend-Lease Administration; later, in February 1942, member of Munitions Assignments Board, United States–Great Britain.↩
  2. Not printed.↩
  3. Telegram No. 9, January 21, 1942, to the Embassy in the Soviet Union; not printed.↩
  4. Special Assistant to President Roosevelt, with responsibility for Lend-Lease administration and policy.↩
  5. William L. Batt, Director, Materials Division, Office of Production Management.↩