861.24/1155: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Second Secretary of Embassy in the Soviet Union (Thompson), at Moscow
Washington, November
11, 1942—5 p.m.
342. “From Stettinius for Faymonville.
- 1.
- Concerning 2nd paragraph your no. 431,60 the requirements of ships are now heavy both in the Atlantic and in the Pacific for our own forces, owing to urgent operational demands. Acting on your cable, we have reviewed the shipping situation but find we can only promise the advancement of one of the proposed December ships to the November schedule, which makes a total of six for November. About 50,000 deadweight tons are represented by these. At the beginning of next month another review of the situation will be made.
- 2.
- Regarding 3rd paragraph of same telegram, we realize fully the importance of prompt loading of Russian ships on the Pacific Coast and we are trying to provide adequate arrangements for this. Port space which we believe to be ample for the loading schedules has been assigned in Seattle, San Francisco, Portland, Olympia and Tacoma. Also, we are endeavoring to supply adequate storage space, loading equipment and labor. Only to the extent necessary to avoid congestion are we controlling railroad freight shipments. Despite all efforts, however, the many troubles incident to the rapid expansion of the Soviet Pacific route and to the greatly increased shipments to our own forces in the Pacific cannot fully be corrected right away.”
Hull