WAR DEPARTMENT
 
          OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF  STAFF
 
                        WASHINGTON
 
                                        February 21, 1942.
 
The President,
 
     The White House.
 
Dear Mr. President:
 
              The S.S. BRAZIL, the S.S. PRESIDENT GRANT, and
 eleven cargo vessels of approximately l0,000 ship tons capacity each,
 are required by the War Department for the movement of troops to 
Australia and Hawaii. No other vessels are available at this time for this
purpose.
 
              The BRAZIL has been assigned by the Maritime Commission to
 the State Department for the repatriation of enemy diplomats. The Navy
 Department, to which the PRESIDENT GRANT is at present tentatively
 assigned, has indicated its willingness to permit the use of this
vessel by the Army for one trip to Hawaii.
 
              In the opinion of the War Department, the military situation
 demands the dispatch of troops without delay to our overseas theaters.
 A delay of about one month in the repatriation of enemy diplomats will
 result. The War Department is prepared to make immediately available the
S.S. ETOLIN and ACADIA for the transportation of enemy diplomats and
 prisoners of war from South America to the United States.
 
              The Maritime Commission advises me that the eleven 
freighters cannot be assigned to the Army, unless a priority above
 shipments of copper and other strategic materials be assigned.
Military necessity demands such priority.
 
              I therefore request that you sign the inclosed letter,
 directing that the Chairman of the Maritime Commission allot
 these vessels to the War Department.
 
                                   Respectfully yours,
                                                  Chief of Staff.
 
 
Incl.