861.24/2–2845: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:29 p.m.]
590. Reference is made to my cable 539 dated February 24, 2 p.m., concerning the transfer of Lend-Lease supplies to third countries. General Semichastnov has furnished preliminary information.
With regard to the exchange with Finland, he said that this was absolutely essential to the war effort in order to obtain vitally needed strategic materials promptly and that the grain transferred was of Soviet origin.
In regard to the trucks which had been used by Polish troops, he said that all of these had been engaged in supply work for the Red Army, as well as for the Polish Army; that on the Polish front the same units were supplying all troops engaged, whether they were of Polish or Soviet nationality. All Polish troops were integrated into [Page 982] the Red Army and there was a common supply system for all. This was true of food, ammunition, and other supplies, whether of American origin or Soviet.
General Semichastnov was emphatic in stating that units of the Polish Army were not acting independently, that any American equipment which was issued to Polish troops was in the same status as Soviet equipment so issued, namely being used by them for the time being in current operations. All of the equipment furnished as, for example, American trucks or Soviet tanks, was listed as Red Army equipment and a thorough accounting and checking of this equipment was maintained, the same as in the case of that used by the Red Army.
General Semichastnov did not know of any specific cases where American trucks were being used by civil authorities. He said, however, that it was normal Red Army practice after a city had been liberated for the Red Army to help in getting the city functioning as quickly as possible.
When asked about the equipment reported as being given to the Yugoslavs, General Semichastnov replied that this equipment was only issued to those units operating directly under the Soviet command, either in the forces of Marshal Tolbukin22 or Marshal Malinky,23 and that the same situation existed as in the case of equipment used by Polish troops.
Since the last meeting General Semichastnov has been investigating this matter with Red Army officials and he can find no case of any American equipment of type used by the Red Army having been delivered to any third country.
When asked about the donation of grain to Warsaw, General Semichastnov said he had not yet checked this point but that he thinks it was Soviet grain.
The necessity of settling this whole matter as promptly as possible was urged and also that approval of the United States Government must be formally requested by the Soviet Government. It was pointed out that it would be most unfortunate if it was found necessary to stop the flow of any item of supply on account of an unauthorized transfer to a third country. General Semichastnov said that he would continue his investigation.