Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The British Commonwealth, Eastern Europe, the Far East, Volume III

861.24/1581: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State

Moscow, July 14, 1943—4 p.m.
[Received July 15—3 a.m.]

854. For Stettinius from Faymonville.

1. Returning from Food Conference¹⁵ Krutikov brought American replies to Soviet requests for shipment of Lend-Lease supplies under Third Protocol. These replies according to Commissar have been carefully examined by Soviet Government. He states that he is expressing the urgent wish of Soviet Government in asking you to assist in improving the terms of the Third Protocol offer.

2. Commissar notes that offers of Lend-Lease freight in U.S. fall short of Soviet requests by a million tons; further that it is proposed to find ocean transportation for only 4½ million tons of the cargoes offered in U.S. thus providing for little more than half of the Soviet requests which he states are all urgent requirements.

3. He says that Soviet Government had grounds for expecting that greater tonnage would be offered to transport the Third Protocol items because of at least five factors: (1st) Need for supporting Russian front is greater than ever before; (2nd) situation with regard to availability of tonnage has been stated by American authorities to be much improved; (3rd) ship construction is proceeding far more satisfactorily than in the past; (4th) losses from enemy submarines are less than had been expected; (5th) new shipping lanes now permit shortening routes and therefore permit shipment of greater aggregate tonnages than under Second Protocol.

4. Commissar states that Soviet Government cannot agree that the figures proposed in American reply to Soviet requests represent the most practicable solution of delivery problems under Third Protocol. After thoroughly considering various limiting factors the Soviet Government asks that it be permitted to choose 6 million tons from among the Lend-Lease items offered and that the American Government agree that the 6 million tons will actually be transported to Soviet Union. Soviet Government feels that American Government will not find it too difficult to agree to this proposal.

5. Examining details of American reply on Third Protocol Commissar states that Soviet Government finds it impossible to understand several points of which he enumerates two and adds remark on third point as follows. First point: Proposed shipments through Persian Gulf are far less than expected and far less than actual possibilities permit. Commissar states that when northern convoys were abandoned Soviet Government was promised by Churchill¹⁶ that tonnage through Iran in August 1943 would amount to 240,000 tons and would be increased in succeeding months. For this reason Soviet Government has made its plans to receive through Iran approximately 210,000 to 215,000 tons of Lend-Lease supplies from U.S. and 20,000 to 30,000 tons from Great Britain monthly beginning with August. Commissar states that American representatives responsible for conveyance through Iran have in fact arranged to transport the amounts promised by Churchill. In this connection Commissar warmly praised the work of Persian Gulf Service Command. Commissar quotes General Connolly’s estimate of 193,000 tons which can be shipped monthly through Iran to which he says must be added the airplanes flown away and the trucks which not only move under their own power but carry Lend-Lease supplies as well making total required ships tonnage arriving in Persian Gulf at least equal to that promised by the Prime Minister. Soviet Government feels that it is unwise to fail to use Iranian facilities to maximum extent and notes that facilities will accommodate nearly twice the tonnage contemplated in American reply on Third Protocol. Soviet Government has received information that Commissioner Hendrickson¹⁷ at Basra has been informed from his headquarters in Washington that he need expect only 135,000 tons of Lend-Lease supplies monthly through Persian Gulf including airplanes which will be delivered to Soviet Union by air, trucks themselves carry additional freight. This information indicates American expectation that less than 100,000 tons will move through Iran monthly whereas General Connolly has made preparations for twice this amount. Commissar states that not only Soviet Government but also American and Soviet representatives in the south were astounded at the failure to make full use of Iranian facilities, he fears that in spite of the precise wording of American reply there may still be some misunderstanding about the actual possibilities and about the excellent preparatory work accomplished by General Connolly. He feels that it is entirely practicable for 215,000 tons of Lend-Lease supplies to arrive at Persian Gulf ports monthly and to be successfully transhipped to Soviet Union.

6. Second point: Soviet Government especially desires review of action disapproving request for mine layers and sub chasers. Commissar states that these items can be delivered under their own power and do not require ship tonnage and that it should therefore be easy for deliveries of these items to be improved. He has been informed that shortages of materials and manpower have caused difficulties in construction of mine layers and sub chasers but hopes that American Government will succeed in overcoming these difficulties. He states that Soviet Government will consider need for mine layers and sub chasers most urgent and adds that action on these two items should not prejudice favorable action on Caspian barges and tugs which are greatly desired.

7. Third point. Commissar added that Soviet Government is greatly disappointed that request for full number of Aircobras has not been granted and hopes that improved production will permit increasing number of Aircobras for Soviet Union. [Faymonville.]

Standley

15. The United Nations Conference on Food and Agriculture, held at Hot Springs, Virginia, May 18–June 3, 1943. For correspondence concerning the Conference, see vol. i, pp. 820 ff.
16. Winston S. Churchill, British Prime Minister.
17. Roy F. Hendrickson, Director of the War Food Administration and Food Distribution Administration, Department of Agriculture, and member of the President’s Soviet Protocol Committee.