At this time ships are available for convoy to the U.S.S.R.
approximately as follows:
In Iceland and England ....................... 61
En route from United States to Iceland ....... 30
Loading in United States and England ......... 15
Scheduled to load in U.S. within next 2 weeks 38
Scheduled to load in England within next
2 weeks ........... 20
Total .......164 ships
Information was received from England to the effect that only
three convoys can be taken to northern Soviet ports during each two
month period and each convoy can escort only 25 ships.
At my request, the Prime Minister of Great Britain personally
reviewed this estimate and reluctantly confirms it.
It therefore appears to be necessary for the present to curtail
total loadings destined for the northern route so that they will conform
to probable convoy limitations. However, it is planned to make arrange-
mants in consultation with your representatives for the loading of high
priority items so that they can go forward. It is also planned to
increase shipments through the Persian Gulf to the maximum extent
practicable which, for the present, appears to be a total of 15 ships per month with a total cargo
of 80,000 tons.
I sincerely regret that it is necessary to send you this information at a time when you and your
country are in need of larger and larger shipments of munitions and you may rest assured that
both the Prime Minister and I will do everything within our power to increase the flow to the
maximum extent practicable.