865.5018/1–2347

Memorandum by Mr. James A. Stillwell of the Division of International Resources to the Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Clayton)

Subject: January Shipments of Grain and Flour to Italy

I have been needling the Department of Agriculture almost hourly on shipments to Italy this month and now have a firm schedule as follows: 60,899 tons of wheat; 42,099 tons of corn; 38,900 tons of flour. Total 141,898 tons. We must add to this the 50,000 tons which we diverted from Germany, making the total 191,898 tons.

I have contained in this schedule only those ships that have actually been named and loading dates scheduled, but in order to provide some lee-way for possible delays in this schedule I have informed Mr. Ortona of the Italian Embassy that I am confident that at least 118,000 tons of wheat, corn and flour will be loaded and sailed this month, in addition to the 50,000 tons already diverted. I would not like to inform the Italians of the total outlined above until a little later in the month when we can be more certain of the actual sailings.