THE WHITE HOUSE
     WASHINGTON
 
                                   April 1, 1942
 
MOSCOW
 
     It is unfortunate that geographical distance makes it
 
practically impossible for you and me to meet at this time.
 
Such a meeting of our minds in personal conversation would
 
be greatly useful to the conduct of the war against Hilterism. Perhaps if things go as well as we 
 
hope, you and I could spend a few days together next summer near our common border
 
off Alaska. But, in the meantime, I regard it as of the utmost military importance that we have the 
 
nearest possible approch to an exchange of views.
 
     As you are aware, we have been conducting a delaying action in the Pacific, but it is my 
 
belief that matters in that ocean are now fairly well stabilized for the time being. 
 
Furthermore, our increasing production program has strengthened our weak spots and enables me 
 
to present to you a specific and, I believe, very important proposal