123 Standley, William H./152
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union ( Standley ) to President Roosevelt 63
My Dear Mr. President: I wish to inform you of a decision I have reached and one that has already been transmitted verbally to the Secretary of State by Mr. Dooman64 who recently returned to Washington from this post.
I do not wish to spend another winter here as Ambassador to the Soviet Union.
As you must know I have always been ready to serve you or make any sacrifice for my country, just as so many of our young men are doing, if it were to my country’s interest to do so. By the same reasoning I am not willing to attempt to continue service in a position where it can be better rendered by someone else.
I accepted the invitation to come here as your Ambassador believing that the military effort was of paramount importance and that diplomacy would remain in the background for the duration of the war. In such an event I felt that I could render effective service. But the time is rapidly approaching if not already here when plans will be in the making for peace discussions and the post war period. In the development of these plans, the interests of our country require that you have in Moscow as your Ambassador one who does not only enjoy your complete confidence but who is also skilled by training and long experience in the field of diplomacy and international affairs. I do not feel that I have this training and time and circumstances will not permit negotiations by special representatives.
I can and will if you desire give you many and good reasons why I should not remain here beyond this fall but for the desired objective suffice it to say that acceleration of waning strength due to declining years and the rigorous winter here compel me to request that I be not required to remain in Moscow later than October 10, 1943.
I would appreciate your bringing this letter to the attention of Secretary Hull in order that the necessary arrangements may be made for my recall.
With the utmost loyalty and respect,