867.24/225
The Under Secretary of State (Welles) to the Lend-Lease Administrator (Stettinius)
My Dear Mr. Stettinius: In view of the efforts which the Turkish Government is now making to prepare for the possible extension of hostilities in the Near East during the spring, the Department of State regards it as particularly important that supplies be furnished to [Page 678] Turkey as soon as possible, not only for the purpose of strengthening the Turkish Government in its announced determination to resist aggression but also in order to enable that resistance to be effective.
This Department understands that the Turkish military authorities consider it of the greatest importance, for instance, that 950 trucks, for which the Turkish Government has already deposited more than $1,000,000 in cash payment, reach Turkey by the end of March.
Sincerely yours,