861.24/1–2745: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union ( Kennan ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:30 p.m.]
250. In the matter of transfer of Lend-Lease supplies to third parties, discussed in Department’s 115, January 18, 10 p.m., Ambassador Harriman, prior to his departure, still had certain points on which he wished further clarification before taking the matter up with the Soviet Government.
In the belief that he may wish to raise these questions himself on his return, I am taking no action at this time on the Department’s instruction under reference.
Meanwhile I wish to invite the Department’s attention not only to the proposed sale of grain to Finland but also to the decision, announced in today’s Soviet press, to give 60,000 tons of grain to the city of Warsaw (see my next following telegram3 in clear). This decision is being given major propaganda build up in the Soviet press and no doubt in Poland as well. I am sure that Ambassador Harriman would welcome an indication of the attitude the Department would wish him to adopt on these specific transactions.
- Not printed.↩