Office of the Historian

President Roosevelt to the Secretary of State 18

[Washington,] September 9, 1944.

My Dear Mr. Secretary: There has been a good deal of discussion within the several Government Departments relative to our Lend Lease policy after the collapse of Germany.

It is my wish that no Department of the Government take unilateral action in regard to any matters that concern Lease Lend, because the implications of any such action are bound to affect other Departments of the Government and, indeed, our whole national policy. I am particularly anxious that any instructions which may have been issued, or are about to be issued regarding Lease Lend material or supplies to our allies after the collapse of Germany, be immediately cancelled and withdrawn.

I intend to give instructions to all Departments relative to the Lease Lend policy of this government at an early date.

Will you be sure, therefore, that your several bureaus and divisions are advised of my position at once?

I am sending identical letters to the Chief of Staff,19 the Chief of Naval Operations,20 the Secretary of the Treasury, the Administrator of the Foreign Economic Administration and the Administrator of the War Shipping Administration.21

Sincerely yours,

Franklin D. Roosevelt
  1. Copy obtained from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, N.Y.↩
  2. General of the Army George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army.↩
  3. Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet, and Chief of Naval Operations.↩
  4. Vice Admiral Emory S. Land.↩