861.24/9–1446

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé of the Soviet Union (Orekhov)45

Sir: The Government of the United States, recognizing the outstanding contribution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the prosecution of the war against the common enemy, rendered assistance to the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the form of military supplies, raw materials, industrial equipment, food and services under the terms of the Moscow Protocol of October 1, 1941 and subsequent Protocols, and under other arrangements which accorded with the changing war situation. The Government of the United States provided lend-lease aid to the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in accordance with the terms and conditions of the “Master Lend-Lease Agreement” executed by the two Governments on June 11, 1942. In this agreement it was declared to be “expedient that the final determination of the terms and conditions upon which the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics receives such aid and of the benefits to be received by the United States of America in return therefor should be deferred until the extent of the defense aid is known and until the progress of events makes clearer the final terms and conditions and benefits which will be in the mutual interests of the United States of America and the Union of Soviet [Page 855] Socialist Republics and will promote the establishment and maintenance of world peace.”

The Government of the United States considers it appropriate that discussions be initiated in the near future for the purpose of making the final determination referred to in the Master Lend-Lease Agreement of June 11, 1942 and proposes that such discussions be held in Washington and commence on or before October 15, 1946. It is further proposed that these discussions be limited to the topics covered by the Master Lend-Lease Agreement of June 11, 1942. If the above meets with the approval of your Government, it is requested that an indication be made to the Government of the United States at an early date of the names of those persons authorized to represent the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in these discussions.

The Government of the United States reaffirms the position set forth in its note of March 18, 1946 that the purchase of dry-cargo vessels, tankers and other merchant vessels, use and custody of which were transferred to the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics under the Lend-Lease Act, is governed by existing statutes of the United States and those vessels not purchased must be returned to the Government of the United States in conformity with such statutes. The Government of the United States desires that the discussion of the disposition of these vessels also commence on or before October 15, 1946.

With regard to the note of the Secretary of State dated July 26, 1946 concerning the return to the Government of the United States of three icebreakers of the United States Navy, use and custody of which were transferred to the Soviet Government under the Lend-Lease Act, the Government of the United States reiterates its need for these vessels and requests that it be advised as soon as possible when these vessels will be ready for return.

Accept [etc.]

William L. Clayton
  1. The Department advised the Embassy in Moscow by telegram 1658 on September 16, that this note had been dispatched to the Embassy of the Soviet Union in Washington. It pointed out that there was a change in approach to negotiations, by limiting discussions to topics connected with the settlement of lend-lease, while reaffirming the position taken in the note of March 18 on the purchase or return of vessels lend-leased during the war, and reiterating the demand of July 26 for the return of 3 ice-breakers to the Navy. The text of this note was sent to the Embassy in Moscow in telegram 2170 on December 23. For extracts from this telegram, see p. 860.