868.24/105

The Secretary of State to the Greek Minister ( Diamantopoulos )

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of December 30, 1940,62 in regard to the desire of your Government to [Page 671] purchase certain specified types of artillery ammunition from this Government.

In reply I have to inform you that this Government possesses no caliber 75 mm. shells for the Schneider Mountain Gun Type 1919 and no caliber 105 mm. shells for the Schneider Gun Type 1925. This Government does, however, have on hand small stocks of caliber 57 mm. ammunition and caliber 155 mm. ammunition. None of this ammunition has been declared surplus and hence, it is not at the present available for sale to foreign governments. It is possible, however, that some of it, particularly the first-mentioned type, might be declared surplus and hence, available for sale to your Government.

It is suggested that you may wish to communicate informally to the Chief of the Division of Controls of the Department the name of the representative of your Government whom you wish to have deal with this matter in order that arrangements may be made for the representative of your Government to discuss the matter directly with the appropriate officers of the War Department.

Accept [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:
Sumner Welles