Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, China, Volume VI

893.24/11–1844

Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State (Stettinius) to President Roosevelt

[Washington,] November 25, 1944.

Subject: Passage of Trucks Through the Soviet Union En Route to China.

Ambassador Harriman told me that he had talked with you on this subject, and that you agreed in accordance with the recommendation contained in the attached memorandum dated November 15,³¹ that it would be undesirable to send a message to Marshal Stalin at this time.

I shall, of course, in accordance with your instructions to Mr. Harriman, follow closely the progress being made on the Ledo–Burma Road.³²

As you requested, I am returning the memoranda of November 15.

Edward R. Stettinius, Jr.

31. Supra.
32. Ambassador Harriman had informed the Under Secretary of State that he had told the President that General Somervell thought the Ledo Road was the better route for delivery of the trucks, etc. The President said ‘All right but they should push it when the Ledo Road is open’.”