DRAFT TELEGRAM
AUGUST 18, 1942
 
TO:   STALIN
FROM:    THE PRESIDENT
     I AM SORRY THAT I COULD NOT HAVE JOINED WITH YOU AND THE PRIME
MINISTER IN THE MOSCOW CONFERENCES. I AM WELL AWARE OF THE URGENT
NECESSITIES OF THE MILITARY SITUATION, PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO THE
SITUATION ON THE RUSSIAN FRONT.
     I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE A TOEHOLD IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC FROM
WHICH IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE JAPANESE TO DISLODGE US.  OUR
NAVAL LOSSES THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL BUT IT WAS WORTH IT TO GAIN THE
ADVANTAGE WE HAVE.  WE ARE GOING TO PRESS THEM HARD.
     ON THE OTHER HAND, I KNOW VERY WELL THAT OUR REAL ENEMY IS
GERMANY AND THAT OUR FORCE AND POWER MUST BE BROUGHT AGAINST
HITLER AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE MOMENT.  YOU CAN BE SURE THAT THIS WILL
BE DONE, JUST AS SOON AS IT IS HUMANLY POSSIBLE TO PUT TOGETHER THE
TRANSPORTATION.
     IN THE MEAN TIME, OVER 1000 TANKS WILL LEAVE THE UNITED STATED IN
AUGUST FOR RUSSIA, AND OTHER CRITICAL SUPPLIES, INCLUDING AIRPLANES, ARE
GOING FORWARD.
     THE UNITED STATES UNDERSTANDS THAT RUSSIA IS BEARING THE BRUNT
OF THE FIGHTING AND LOSSES THIS YEAR.  WE ARE FILLED WITH ADMIRATION OF
YOUR MAGNIFICENT ASSISTANCE.  BELIEVE ME WHEN I TELL YOU THAT WE ARE 
COMING AS STRONGLY AND AS QUICKLY AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.  ROOSEVELT