851.24/2–2144
Mr. Jean Monnet of the French Supply Council at Washington to the Assistant Secretary of State (Acheson)
My Dear Mr. Acheson: During the conversations which have taken place pursuant to your letter of January 27th, between the Officers of your Department, the Treasury, the Foreign Administration and the Technical staff of our Mission, the question of payment of expenses for French prisoners of war was discussed. It was agreed that I would submit to you in writing the views of the French Committee of National Liberation on the subject.
It is the feeling of the French Committee that in approaching this problem due consideration should be given to the very special nature of these expenses. Supplies of food and clothing to prisoners of war cannot be identified with civilian supplies and should not be treated as such.
The Government of the United States is aware of the importance given by the French people to all questions concerning prisoners of war. The French people know and deeply appreciate that all supplies from the United States to the French armed forces are furnished on a straight lend-lease basis. They might fail to understand the reasons why supplies of food and clothing to war prisoners should not be dealt with in the same way.
We suggest that supplies from the United States to all French soldiers whether prisoners or not should be treated alike. We believe that a great psychological effect would be derived from the fact that the United States would supply arms and equipment to the soldiers who fight and food and clothing to those who are prisoners on the same basis of straight lend-lease.
No special document would be necessary to enforce the procedure outlined above as it is in full concurrence with the Modus Vivendi of September 25th, 1943, which provides that military aid will be furnished under lend-lease and that the distinction between military and civilian supplies will be made by agreement.
Yours sincerely,