800.24/9–2244
Memorandum by the Secretary of State to President Roosevelt 22
The State, War and Navy Departments and the Joint Chiefs of Staff have recently agreed that procurement of materials for the armed forces of the other American republics under Lend-Lease credit shall henceforth be limited to certain specific purposes. A statement setting forth the reasons for adopting this policy and the purposes for which procurement may be approved, has been agreed upon and distributed for the use of United States officials directly concerned. This statement, a copy of which is enclosed,23 also includes a paragraph relating to cash purchases of materials destined for the armed forces of other American republics.
In the first paragraph of the statement under reference it is expressly recognized that “any large threat to the security of the Western Hemisphere has been largely removed”. In view of this fact, I am of the opinion that deliveries of materials to the armed forces of those countries, which always involve important political issues, should henceforth be decided upon primarily on the basis of their effect upon the foreign relations of this country, rather than on grounds of hemisphere defense.
I have felt it desirable to clarify my position in letters for the Secretaries of War and Navy, a copy of which is enclosed.24