Office of the Historian

845.48/368

Memorandum by the Secretary of State to President Roosevelt

Washington, May 31, 1944.

I refer to the memorandum of April 30, 194465 from the White House transmitting a paraphrased copy of message no. 665 from the British Prime Minister, in which there is set forth the urgent need for additional shipping if the probability of a recurrence of famine conditions in India is to be averted.

[Page 273]

This matter was immediately referred to the Joint Chiefs of Staff66 with the statement that in the Department’s opinion the appeal of the Prime Minister should be granted if it should be found to be at all feasible to do so in keeping with the over-all demands of the war situation.

A reply dated May 29, 194467 has now been received from the Joint Chiefs of Staff in which it is stated that they are unable on military grounds to consent to the diversion of shipping necessary to meet the Prime Minister’s request, because of the adverse effect such diversion would have upon military operations already undertaken or in prospect. A copy of this reply is enclosed.

In accordance with the directive contained in the memorandum of April 30, 1944, there is also enclosed for your consideration a draft of a reply to the Prime Minister.

C[ordells] H[ull]
[Annex]

Draft Telegram

I refer to your telegram No. 665 of April 29, 1944 in which you set forth the urgent need for additional shipping in order that greater quantities of wheat than now contemplated may be imported within the year into India from Australia.

Upon receipt of your telegram I immediately directed that the matter be taken under urgent consideration by the appropriate authorities of this Government. The appeal has my utmost sympathy and you may be sure that there is full realization of the military, political and humanitarian factors involved. The American Joint Chiefs of Staff have reported, however, that they are unable on military grounds to consent to the diversion of shipping necessary to meet the request because of the adverse effect such a diversion would have upon military operations already undertaken or in prospect.

Needless to say, I regret exceedingly the necessity of giving to you this unfavorable reply.

  1. See footnote 60, p. 271.↩
  2. In a memorandum by the Secretary of State, May 2, not printed.↩
  3. Not printed.↩