LEND-LEASE DEALINGS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25881, 27 June 1945, Page 5

LEND-LEASE DEALINGS

SUPPLIES FOR RUSSIA SHIPMENTS TO SIBERIA WASHINGTON, June 25. Lend-lease supplies which were being sent to Western Russia when Germany surrendered are at present being shipped to Siberia, according to the testimony'of the Foreign Economic Administrator, Mr Leo Crowley, which haS been released by the House Appropriations Committee. Mr Crowley said it was previously announced that a review of Russian lend-lease had actually stopped all commitments which were not then en route to Russia or were being loaded on ships. The Russians were then given the choice of paying cash if they wanted previouslypromised lend-lease supplies to finish uncompleted plants, ‘etc., or go without the goods. Mr Crowley said that although Russia had not yet declared war against Japan, lend-lease was being continued to Russia so long as and to the extent that, in the opinion of the President and the highest military and strategic advisers, it was to the military advantage of the United States. The possibility of Russia’s entry into the war pinned down large numbers of Japanese troops in northern Manchuria which otherwise might be diverted against the British, American, Chinese, and other Allied forces in the Asiatic theatre. Russia’s entry into the war would undoubtedly help to shorten the war and save thousands of lives. He added that European lend-lease had been cut back drastically since Germany’s defeat. It might end completely for such countries as Belgium, Holland, and France by December 31. The entire lend-l,ease programme could be closed down within 30 days of Japan’s defeat.