EMBASSY OF THE
                     UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS 
                                        WASHINGTON, D. C.
 
 
                                                 March 4, 1942
 
 
My dear Mr. Hopkins:
 
     I have received instructions from my Government
 
to raise once again the question regarding deliveries
 
to the U.S.S.R. of the "Douglass" commercial airplane.
 
         The present vast extent of the front lines demands 
 
great quantities of large commercial airplanes for the 
 
purpose of transporting troops to points at which rein-
 
forcements may be required at any particular time.
 
         Taking into consideration the fact that it was 
 
difficult for the United States Government to deliver
 
600 airplanes as recently requested, my Government now
 
asks whether it will not be possible to deliver immediately 
 
at least 100 and 25 airplanes monthly thereafter.
 
         The Government of the U.S.S.R. is willing to accept 
 
not only new airplanes, but any airplanes available, 
 
including used airplanes.
 
         It will be deeply appreciated if the United States 
 
Government will endeavor to use every means possible to 
 
effect delivery of these airplanes, for which the need 
 
is most pressing.
 
 
                                            Sincerely yours,
 
                                             Maxim Litvinoff
                                                            
                                            Ambassador
 
The Honorable
 
      Harry L. Hopkins
 
            The White House
 
                   Washington