February 21, 1942
 
Admiral E.S. Land,
Chairman, U.S. Haritime Commission,
Washington, D. C.
 
My dear Mr. Chairman:
 
         The Secretary of War advises me that military necessity
 requires the use of the S.S. BRAZIL, S.S. PRESIDENT GRANT,
 and eleven cargo vessels of approximately l0,000 ship tons capacity each.
 
       Please take the necessary steps to make these vessels available 
to the War Department at once, regardless of any previous commitment,
 excepting only vessels required for Russian Lend-Lease use.
 
     At the same time, I am directing the War Department to make
 available the S.S. ETOLIN and ACADIA for the transportation
 of diplomats and prisoners of war from South America to the
United States. The eventual repatriation of the diplomats from the
 United States and to the United States will have to await a later vessel.
 
                         Very sincerely yours,
 
                             /s/ FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT