Cut In Lend-Lease Supplies To Russia

Northern Advocate, 26 August 1943, Page 3

Cut In Lend-Lease Supplies To Russia

NEW YORK, August 25

The value of Lend-Lease aid to Russia was , sharply cut in recent months, despite a statement by Mr Stettinius in January that Russia had become a major beneficiary and would receive even greater supplies during 1943. This is revealed by the newspaper “P.M.” The Soviet share in February equalled about one-third, being the highest point ever reached, sdys the paper. By June it was less than onesixth, while Britain reached a new high of more than one-half. These figures have not previously been released by the Government, but the downward trend in the value of shipments was admitted when the article was submitted to the LendLease Office before publication. Officials explained that the value of shipments had decreased because the Russians were desperately in need of food and took low-level foodstuff cargoes in preferences to the highervalue arms. “In some cases we had munitions in port ready to move, but the Russians decided to use the shipping space to take food ” said an official. “P.M.” says that the shift from arms to foodstuffs confirms previous statements by President Roosevelt that Russian resistance was largely dependent on Russia’s own production capacity. “Examination of published figures shows that Lend-Lease is run as an Anglo-American consortium rather than a United Nations affair,” adds the paper. “By April 1. Lend-Lease exports to Russia totalled 1,822,000,000 dollars, compared with 3,116,000.000 dollars to Britain, or 4,987,000,000 to the British Empire. There is no indication of any increase in shipping allotted to Russia which would enable shipment of arms as well as food.” Well informed circles disclose that the Assistant. Secretary for State (Mr, Sumner Welles) handed a letter of resignation to President Rosevelt before the President left for Quebec, says the Washington correspondent of the “Herald Tribune" Acceptance is a matter of course, since Mr. Hull has demanded a showdown. The latest rift between Mr. Hull and Mr. Welles was over Russia, Mr. Welles favouring greater collaboration which is unacceptable to Mr. Hull. Informed circles point out that this situation is closely linked with M. Lit* ! vinov’s recall.