861.24/5–1245
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé of the Soviet Union (Novikov)49
Sir: It is the desire of this Government to continue to provide the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics with assistance in meeting its military needs for such supplies as are required in the [Page 1001] light of war conditions. Deliveries of supplies under the current lend-lease program for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics will be adjusted immediately to take into account the end of organized hostilities in Europe. This Government intends to fulfill under the terms of the Fourth Protocol the program in Annex III and to deliver such other supplies now on hand or on order for the U.S.S.R. as are justified on the basis of adequate information regarding the essentiality of Soviet military supply requirements and in the light of competing demands for such supplies in the changed military situation. Future lend-lease programs will be designed, on the same basis, to meet new military situations as they arise. This Government therefore proposes that the essential military requirements of the U.S.S.R. be met in this manner without the conclusion of a Fifth Protocol.
On January 5, 1945, your Embassy was requested to furnish the United States Government as soon as possible with a statement of the military requirements of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for supplies after July 1, 1945. It is urgent that you furnish this Government, with a minimum of delay, a statement of the military requirements of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for all categories of lend-lease supplies for the remainder of the calendar year 1945 and adequate information regarding the essentiality of these requirements in the light of the new military situation.
Accept [etc.]
- A paraphrase of this note was sent in telegram 1062, May 13, 6 p.m., to Moscow. The telegram further advised: “The Foreign Economic Administration issued a statement to the press on May 12 indicating that all lend-lease programs, including that of the Soviet Union, were being revised in the light of the changed military situation.” (861.24/5–1345)↩