Office of the Historian

845.515/503a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Officer in Charge at New Delhi (Merrell)

Washington, September 1, 1943—11 p.m.

422. From Stettinius for Ecker. We have approved Indian Government requisition for 20 million ounces of silver for coinage during the next 5 months. The Government of India has agreed to return the silver within 5 years after end of national emergency in U. S., on ounce-for-ounce basis. Secretary Morgenthau and ourselves sponsored the Indian request for silver for coinage before the Senate Special Silver Committee, which approved the proposal. Advice regarding the 100 million ounce reserve will be sent to you later.

Promise has been given by us to keep in touch with Silver Committee, and promise has been given by Treasury that it will furnish Committee with statistics showing extent to which silver lend-leased to India for coinage remains in circulation. Please keep us advised on this whole subject.

[Here follows statement informing of the lend-lease of silver to certain other areas.]

  • [Stettinius]
  • Hull