Paris Embassy Files: Lot 55F–139 Box 2, File 631

The Secretary of State to the French Chargé (Lacoste)94

My Dear Mr. Chargé d’Affaires: I acknowledge the receipt of your note of today’s date which refers to our exchange of notes, also of today’s date, concerning the negotiations to be undertaken in the immediate future pursuant to Article VII of the Master Lend-Lease Agreement between the United States of America and the Provisional Government of France signed February 28, 1945.

You state that the effective contribution of France to a world of expanding production and trade will depend primarily on the opportunities that will be given her to undertake and achieve the reconstruction and modernization of her agricultural and industrial economy. For this reason, you propose that prior to the negotiations contemplated by the aforementioned exchange of notes, our two Governments review together the total requirements of France and the means presently available, or which may be made available, to enable France effectively to participate in the orderly development of international commerce.

In reply, I am happy to inform you that my Government is prepared to discuss with the French Government at an early date the matters mentioned above.

Sincerely yours,

[File copy not signed]
  1. Copy transmitted to Paris as an enclosure to instruction 1658, December 6, 1945 (not printed).