861.24/9–344: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 3—7:17 p.m.]
3283. Personal for Harry Hopkins. Embassy’s 3282, September 3, 10 p.m. With reference to Nelson’s cable to you on the list of industrial items which we have declined to finance under the Lend-Lease Act, I was not present at Nelson’s conversation with Mikoyan and I do not wish you to infer that I join him in his recommendation. I have specific instructions from the Department to explain to Mikoyan [Page 1130] why these items cannot be financed. If you decide to look into the matter I would appreciate more detailed information on the reasons why these particular items are considered ineligible.
At the present time the Soviet Government is being more than usually uncooperative in dealing with our requests on them for assistance, as for example their unwillingness to allow our trucks to pass through to Chennault.22 I am satisfied that the only way we can induce them to give sympathetic consideration to our legitimate requests is to make them feel their negative attitude will affect our willingness to cooperate with them on matters that have no immediate effect on the war. As you know I have consistently recommended, and still do, maximum shipments in the immediate future.
- Maj. Gen. Claire L. Chennault, Commanding General, U.S. 14th Air Force in China.↩