860P.85/67
The Secretary of State to the Latvian Minister (Bilmanis)
Sir: It is with appreciation that I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of December 11, 1941, containing an expression of the patriotic Latvian attitude toward our common enemy, and of your willingness to assist the Government of the United States.
Your suggestion that it might be helpful at the present time for the American Government to take over the eight Latvian vessels operating in this hemisphere is also appreciated. This suggestion has been brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities of this Government who believe, however, that such action would not be presently desirable.39
Accept [etc.]
[For a conversation on December 29, 1941, regarding the proposed joint declaration of the United Nations powers against the Axis held between Maxim Maximovich Litvinov, Ambassador of the Soviet Union, and Secretary of State Hull, see the latter’s memorandum of this date, Foreign Relations, 1942, volume I, section entitled “Declaration by United Nations, signed January 1, 1942.”]
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While some officers in the Department of State were favorably disposed toward the proposal to take over the Latvian ships, Assistant Secretary of State Breckinridge Long noted on December 14, 1941, that “Mr. Welles has been consulted several times recently on the policy to be pursued in relation to the vessels. The decision is that for the time being no change of policy be undertaken. Our relations with Russia are to be considered as of paramount importance and not disturbed—as this might do.
Consequently the note from the Latvian Minister is to be simply acknowledged and he be thanked for his offer but told that the present arrangement is working satisfactorily.” (860P.85/65)
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