800.24/9–2045
The Acting Secretary of State and the Foreign Economic Administrator (Crowley) to the Secretary of War (Stimson)45
Dear Mr. Secretary: As you are aware, the President on September 5, 1945, approved a memorandum to the Joint Chiefs of Staff46 concerning issuance to Allied Governments of Lend-Lease munitions and the provision of Lend-Lease services, procured and sponsored by the War and Navy Departments. Section (c) of the memorandum stated that “Aid may be furnished to supply maintenance items for United [Page 130] States equipment now in the possession of Allied forces against payment upon such terms and conditions as determined by the State Department and Foreign Economic Administration in accordance with established procedure. Such aid will be reduced and finally eliminated at the earliest date practicable and in no case will it be extended beyond six months from the effective date of this instrument.”
The State Department and Foreign Economic Administration have considered what should be the terms and conditions of payment, and have concluded that issuance of the maintenance items in question should be for full cash payment upon presentation of a bill by the Foreign Economic Administration. If the State Department and the Foreign Economic Administration should decide in the case of an individual country that special circumstances warrant a deviation from this policy of full cash payment upon presentation of a bill you will be immediately notified.
Sincerely yours,
Leo T. Crowley