893.24/1444
Mr. Harry L. Hopkins, Special Assistant to President Roosevelt, to Mr. Elbridge Durbrow of the Division of European Affairs
Dear Mr. Durbrow: The Chinese are very anxious to get our cooperation in the development of a supply route by trucks from Karachi [Page 605] to Meshed. This will require the Russians to undertake a short truck haul to the Turk-Sib Railway and then by rail to Sergiopol.
What they are trying to do is to get the Russians to handle about 100 tons a day.
The British Ambassador in Moscow has apparently been asked by the British Government to approach the Russian Government to support the request being made by the Chinese Ambassador in Moscow. The Chinese are anxious to have similar instructions sent to Ambassador Standley.
While I think the Russians may hesitate to grant this request, there is no question but what it would be a real help to China and I can see nothing to be lost by our giving them a little help.
There, of course, may be other reasons which would make it unwise to send these instructions to Ambassador Standley.
Cordially yours,