740.0011 European War 1939/13657: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:05 p.m.]
1440. For the President, the Secretary and the Under Secretary only. The British Ambassador informed me yesterday that it is contemplated that a member of the British War Cabinet will be sent to Moscow to direct the discussions dealing with British aid to the Soviet Union in the joint war effort against Germany. Cripps intimated that in view of the fact that Stalin alone can make major decisions, a high ranking Cabinet member, such as Eden or Beaverbrook,64 may be selected for this mission. In the course of his remarks on the foregoing subject Cripps adverted to the advisability of dispatching to Moscow an American military and economic mission similar to the British mission which arrived here some time ago and which is headed by Lieutenant General F. N. Mason-McFarlane, Rear Admiral G. J. A. Miles, Air Vice Marshal D. Collier and L. J. Cadbury. In speculating on its possible composition he expressed [Page 818] the opinion that Vice President Wallace65 would be an excellent choice to head the mission, as the Soviet Government would be impressed and gratified by the selection of a man of his rank. At the conclusion of our conversation, Cripps told me in strict confidence that he expects shortly to be made a member of the British War Cabinet.