861.24/1767a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
Washington, April 4,
1944—9 p.m.
800. War Food Administration has asked Department for advice on matters affecting 1945 goals for United States food production, for the most part to be consumed in 1946. We assume that “basic essential needs” of Russia for food imports will remain unchanged through 1946 irrespective of status of hostilities. Do you feel this assumption valid?
Based on this assumption, your judgment is requested on following question. To what extent would Soviets change requisition for food shipments from United States in 1945 and 1946 from present level:
- (1)
- If lend-lease financing stops without further credit arrangements.
- (2)
- If arrangements are made under section 3(c) of lend-lease agreement as contemplated by recent telegrams.
Hull