861.24/859: Telegram
The Second Secretary of Embassy in the Soviet Union (Thompson) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 17—8:36 a.m.]
72. For Hopkins from Faymonville. Continuation of material assistance to Soviet Union after expiration of protocol, is essential to successful prosecution of the war. Munitions, food and raw materials must be included. Exact munitions items needed by Russians could be determined by general military staff conference of all nations concerned, or if such a conference is impracticable then Russians’ own estimates of needs could be accepted as final for requirements in Eastern Europe. Full military staff conference on Allied strategy would be a desirable preliminary to a supply conference but in my opinion military staff conference on strategy is still impracticable. Reasons: Russian confidence in ability of Red Army to regain occupied territory if adequate munitions arrive from abroad; Russian lack of esteem for Allied operations, especially in Malaya; Russian reluctance to accept foreign guidance or suggestions on strategy; lack of confidence [Page 698] in the ultimate British and American attitude toward the Soviet Union, which attitude, the Russians fear, is foreshadowed by failure to accept Russia’s basic war aim—restoration of her 1941 frontiers.74 At any supply conference which may be held, it will therefore be desirable to accept without question lists of munitions requirements presented by Russians as representing the needs on their front. It would be particularly undesirable to adopt an intermediate course in which military strategy conference is omitted, but Russians are nevertheless required to submit their munitions lists to analysis in relation to strategy and possible disapproval by British and Americans at a supply conference.
2. Requests for raw materials need not [be?] similarly accepted without argument, since Russians have faith in our industrial skill and will not accept suggestions75 in this field which they will not similarly accept in the field of strategy. Our attempt to assist in the industrial field must, however, avoid all resemblance of industrial espionage, and must be obviously and demonstratably related to improved processes, substitute materials or more available items.
At Moscow Conference in September, our willingness [not?] to pry out economic information, because of its sharp contrast with British methods, established the integrity of our motives and built up a good will which should not be dissipated by inquiry into matters not germane to the purposes of supply conference.
3. Subject to above conditions, recommend that you invite Russian and British representatives to meet with you at a supply conference in Washington to project future deliveries of munitions, food and raw materials. Immediate action desirable and I suggest that conference convene first week of April.
Repeated to Kuibyshev. [Faymonville.]