Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The British Commonwealth and Europe, Volume III

851.24/10–344

Memorandum by the Secretary of State to President Roosevelt

Washington , October 3, 1944.

I attach a copy of the memorandum which I sent on September 11¹¹ and which was given to you at Quebec by Mr. Hopkins.¹² This memorandum suggested a basis for a Lend-Lease agreement with France differing somewhat from that set forth in my memorandum of July 15, 1944, which you approved on July 18. I also attach a copy of this memorandum.¹³

I understand that you requested Mr. Morgenthau¹⁴ to discuss this matter with me and with Mr. Hopkins. Before Mr. Morgenthau had an opportunity to discuss this question with us you approved on September 15 a memorandum¹⁵ which recommended indefinite postponement.

I wish to recall that on the basis of your July 18 approval we reached agreement with the French on August 25 to continue negotiations on Lend-Lease with a view to reaching agreement prior to its conclusion.

My staff is under almost daily pressure from the French to submit a draft agreement for discussion. Whatever may be your decision on the memorandum of September 11, we are under obligations to proceed in some way.

I would point out to you that in the draft upon which my memorandum of September 11 was based, there are four articles, VI, VII, VIII, IX, in which the Treasury has a specific responsibility. These they approved.

I hope very much, therefore, that you will authorize me to proceed to negotiate with the French on the basis which you decide is appropriate.

C[ordell] H[ull]

11. Supra.
12. Harry L. Hopkins, Special Assistant to President Roosevelt, was not at the Quebec Conference, but he sent the memorandum from Washington to President Roosevelt at Quebec.
13. See footnote 9, p. 760.
14. Henry Morgenthau, Jr., Secretary of the Treasury.
15. Not found in Department files.