711.94114 Supplies/31: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union ( Standley ) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 15—2:45 p.m.]
1357. Department’s 835, September 11, 10 p.m. From a careful reading of the Soviet note of September 2 paraphrased in my 1264 September 4, 1 p.m., it is clear that several statements were made by [Page 819] the Foreign Office which do not conform entirely with my note of August 21 or which draw inferences unwarranted. Among these are the Soviet statements on possible delay on the part of Soviet authorities in arranging for delivery of supplies to a transfer shipping point and the information on the Soviet position possessed by the American public. I do not feel however that these divergencies are of sufficient importance to warrant a reply. The central objective of obtaining Soviet agreement to the accumulation of stockpiles on Soviet territory for immediate transshipment upon the completion of arrangements between the United States and Japan has been accomplished and in my opinion to continue discussion of nonessential points would serve no useful purpose. I would therefore suggest that the Department approve confining my reply to the Soviet authorities to a simple expression of appreciation of the agreement to the American request.5 In such a reply I can include the substance of the last sentence of your telegram under reference.
- In telegram No. 901, September 24, 6 p.m., the Department approved the procedure here proposed by Ambassador Standley.↩