861.24/11–1144
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Navy (Forrestal)
My Dear Mr. Secretary: Reference is made to your letter of November 11, 1944 concerning the desire of the Navy Department to obtain the consent of the Soviet Government to sign special charter parties for vessels turned over under the Lend-Lease Agreement to the Soviet Union.
This question has been discussed with the appropriate officials of this Department as well as with the Foreign Economic Administration, Division of Soviet Supply, and it has been decided that, since this involves a straight Lend-Lease matter, it would be advisable to take up the question directly with the Soviet authorities through the Supply Section of the Military Mission attached to our Embassy in Moscow, in order to explain the reasons why it is necessary under American law to follow the procedure outlined in your letter.
Sincerely yours,