Office of the Historian

893.24/1721

Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State (Stettinius) to the Secretary of State 72

[Washington,] May 24, 1944.

On your return to the office you will wish to give consideration to the Department’s position on the question of the transfer of eight naval vessels to China.

I have asked Mr. Grew to analyze the matter thoroughly with the Navy and he will be fully informed and prepared to discuss the matter with you at your convenience.

E[dward] S[tettinius]
  1. Marginal notation by the Secretary of State: “Why not consider lending first—in view of trouble about Italian transfers. C[ordell] H[ull].”↩