SUPPLIES FOR RUSSIA

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23482, 10 November 1941, Page 5

SUPPLIES FOR RUSSIA

Lend-Lease Aid From U.S.

MR ROOSEVELT’S ORDER

(Received November 9, 9 p.m.) (8.0.W.-U.P.A.) LONDON, Nov. 8. Mr Roosevelt has sent a letter to the lend-lease administrator, Mr Edward R. Stettinius, saying: "I have to-day found that the defence of the Soviet Union is vital to the defence of the United States,” and instructing Mr Stettinius to take immediate action to transfer defence supplies to Russia under the lend-lease programme. The United Press of America says it is authoritatively stated that the United States Maritime Commission is requisitioning a large number of coastal and intercoastal ships, giving rise to the belief that the administration Is preparing a mass movement of war cargoes to Russia. Lord Beaverbrook, Minister for Supply, who led the British mission to Moscow, speaking at Manchester this afternoon to 1500 workers and working women, urged the fullest aid to Russia, in whose armies he had great faith. Speaking of the Moscow conference, Lord Beaverbrook said that Mr W. Averell Harriman, the United States representative, and himself, had agreed to send to Russia as many aeroplanes and tanks a month as M. Stalin had asked for. This number amounted to a figure which M. Stalin estimated he had lost as a result of the fighting and loss of territory. The number of aeroplanes and tanks agreed for October had been sent. Wheat was another important commodity which Britain had agreed to supply to Russia. Britain had taken from her stock wheat stored in Canada and had sent large quantities to Russia. Another vital commodity of which Russia was short was aluminium. She had asked Britain for a considerable amount. Lord Beaverbrook revealed that he had been an aluminium hoarder, and when he learned of the Russian request befdre the Moscow meeting, he consulted with Mr Churchill. “I told him I did not know whether I could give them all of it, but Mr Churchill said, ‘Give it.’ When I told M. Stalin, he was pleased, but I told him that it was Mr Churchill who had done it. M. Stalin chuckled and replied, ‘The old war horse.’” Referring to M. Stalin, Lord Beaverbrook said: “M. Stalin is a great man. I could feel the pulsating power of the man. The Russians are led well and wisely. I put my faith in that man’s leadership.”