Truman Papers
No. 1185
President Truman to Prime
Minister Attlee
Babelsberg, July 29,
1945.
My Dear Mr. Prime Minister: In
accordance with my letter of July 25,1 I enclose a copy of a memorandum
directive on the issuance of Lend-Lease munitions, which I have
today sent to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This directive
eliminates the delivery of Lend-Lease material for the
occupation of Axis countries. In other respects I believe it
adequately covers your expressed desires.
I have noted the suggestion in the letter of July 24,2 that postwar economic arrangements be
discussed in Washington, say in September. Mr. W. L. Clayton, Assistant
Secretary of State, will be in London shortly for the U. N. R. R. A. Council meeting,
and I have instructed him to engage in informal conversations
with your people about these matters. When he has reported to me
in Washington, we shall be able to decide upon arrangements for
further discussions with your representatives.
Very sincerely yours,
[Enclosure]
The President
to the Joint Chiefs of
Staff3
top
secret
Memorandum Directive to
the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Referring to my memorandum of 5 July, 1945,4 quoted herewith following:
“Approval of the issue to Allied Governments of Lend
Lease munitions of war and military and naval equipment will
be limited to that which is to be used in the war against Japan, and it
will not be used for any other purpose.”
[Page 1185]
It may be given the following interpretation:
- 1.
- Issue of Lend-Lease munitions of war and military and
naval equipment to all Allied Governments, including
Latin American countries is authorized when in the
opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff it is to be
used in direct support of redeployment of American
troops, or Allied troops in connection with their
redeployment in support of the war against Japan.
- 2.
- Supply of Allied service units that are directly
serving United States forces in any area with
subsistence, supply, and equipment (except arms and
ammunition) is authorized.
- 3.
- Until the receipt of further instructions issue of
Lend-Lease munitions of war and military and naval equipment to
the U. S. S. R. is authorized in accordance with my
directive of 11 May, 1945,5 when in the
opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff it can be
considered as for use in the war against Japan.
- 4.
- Until the receipt of further instructions issue of
Lend-Lease munitions of war and military and naval equipment to
the British Empire is authorized for the direct
support of redeployment of American troops, and of
British troops in connection with their redeployment
in support of the war against Japan, taking into account
commitments for approved combined operations against
Japan. In accordance with my memorandum of 17 July,
19456 to
the Prime Minister, and subject to the elimination
of the requirements for occupational forces in Axis
countries, such issue should be generally in accord
with schedules of requirements and other terms
arrived at by British and American supply
representatives in October–November 1944, subject to
changing strategic demands as well as to usual
supply, procurement, and allocation considerations
and procedures.
- 5.
- Replacement and maintenance on a military
Lend-Lease basis of French units which have already
been equipped by the U. S. under the North African
Rearmament Program, Metropolitan Rearmament Program,
and Air Forces Program is authorized for subsistence
until August 31, 1945, and for other items of
equipment and supply until September 30,
1945.
- 6.
- Supply of maintenance items for U. S. equipment
now in the possession of Allied armies may be issued
for purposes other than those specifically approved
in this memorandum against payment under such terms
and conditions as may be determined by the State
Department and Foreign Economic Administration in
accordance with established procedure.
Harry S. Truman
[Babelsberg,] July 29,
1945.
