861.24/1096: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 7—12:55 p.m.]
399. My 398, October 5, 10 p.m.38 During my talk with Molotov yesterday I inquired regarding the food situation in the Soviet Union. He said that Willkie had asked Stalin regarding Soviet food needs and that Stalin had replied substantially as follows:
“The Germans had taken all of the Ukraine and the North Caucasus and much of the black soil region, which were among the richest food producing areas of the country. The food situation therefore would be bad during the winter. The Soviet Union would need 2,000,000 tons of wheat and a correspondingly large quantity of concentrated foodstuffs such as butter, condensed milk, lard, meat products, and so forth. If Great Britain and the United States could transfer ships to operate under the Soviet flag these products could be imported through Pacific ports.”
Mr. Willkie had replied that there were huge surpluses of foodstuffs, particularly of grain in the United States. The only difficulty to be considered in connection with the supply of food was that of shipping. The situation in that regard was improving so rapidly [Page 730] in the United States that he was sure, however, that the necessary ships could be made available in the near future.
I asked whether this matter had been discussed with the American and British authorities responsible for the furnishing of supplies and materials to the Soviet Union. Molotov said that not only had Stalin outlined Soviet needs in this respect to Mr. Willkie, the President’s personal representative, but the problem of food had been discussed in connection with the protocol for 1942–43, which for some reason had not been signed. In reply to my query, he added that the fault for the delay in signature did not rest on “our side”. A copy of the protocol had been handed him in May. The Harriman protocol, which had been drafted and signed in a few days, had expired on June 30, and since that date no protocol had been in force. He understood that the British and Americans were still discussing various points in the draft which had been prepared.
Mr. Molotov asked what had been the effect in the United States of Mr. Willkie’s visit. I replied that Mr. Willkie was very much pleased with his visit and I was sure that the report with regard to it, which he would make to the President, would have great weight and effect. I added that the American Government was deeply appreciative of the courtesies and hospitality extended to Mr. Willkie while he was in the Soviet Union. I said that there could be no doubt that his visit would yield results most beneficial to Soviet-American relations and to our war effort.
- Not printed.↩