800.515/961: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
674. Department’s 437, February 29, 6 p.m. For your information, the Secretary of the Treasury in a letter dated March 2281 has informed the Department that because of the difficulties which would arise with respect to production of Allied mark currency if duplicate plates were made available to the Russians, he has requested Admiral Leahy to place the matter before the Combined Chiefs of Staff. Mr. Morgenthau has advised the Russian Ambassador of this step, and has also made available to him a memorandum prepared by the Treasury’s technical experts setting forth in detail these difficulties which, in their judgment, would entail a delay of 6 to 8 months. In view of this very Considerable delay, it is not anticipated that the Combined Chiefs of Staff will favor the delivery of plates to the Russians.