861.24/1–2246

The Secretary of State to the Chargé of the Soviet Union (Oreklov)

Sir: On October 15, 1945, Mr. Leo T. Crowley, Foreign Economic Administrator, wrote Lieutenant General L. G. Rudenko, Chairman, the Government Purchasing Commission of the Soviet Union in the United States of America concerning the preparation of an inventory of Lend-Lease supplies in the possession of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or subject to its control at the end of hostilities. The inventory was requested as a part of the information necessary in preparation of a Lend-Lease settlement with your Government, under the terms of the Master Agreement of June 11, 1942. Mr. Crowley asked that the data be presented at the earliest possible opportunity. A copy of Mr. Crowley’s letter is enclosed.99

After more than two months had elapsed without a response, a second letter was addressed to General Rudenko, by Mr. Willard L. Thorp, Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs dated January 4, 1946. A copy of Mr. Thorp’s letter is enclosed.1

A response has now been received from General Rudenko, dated January 22, 1946, a copy of which is enclosed.2

In view of the terms of Ambassador Litvinov’s Note of February 4, 1942,3 it had been the understanding of this Government that the authority of the Soviet Purchasing Commission extended to all matters in this country affecting Lend-Lease. It now appears from General Rudenko’s letter, however, that the authority of the Commission has been changed without this Government’s having been informed. It would therefore be appreciated if the Department of State could [Page 828] be supplied with a statement indicating the present scope of the Commission’s authority.

It would be appreciated if the Department of State can be supplied with inventory estimates, as requested in the letters to General Rudenko dated October 15, 1945 and January 4, 1946, so that settlement negotiations may proceed in Washington without delay.

Accept [etc.]

James F. Byrnes
  1. Foreign Relations, 1945, vol. v, p. 1043.
  2. Ante, p. 818.
  3. Ante, p. 822.
  4. Not printed; but see memorandum of a conversation with Litvinov on March 2, 1942, and footnotes 71 and 72, Foreign Relations, 1942, vol. iii, p. 696.