TO PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT FROM JOSEPH STALIN.
 
     I thank you for the message conveyed through Ambassador
 
Litvinov. I have already requested Prime Minister Churchill
 
to contribute to the speediest overcoming of certain difficulties
 
in connection with the transportation and conveying of ships to
 
the U.S.S.R. Since the delivery of materials in May from the U.S.S.R. and England is of the 
 
utmost urgency, I make a similar request to yourself, Mr.President.
 
     The journey of Mr.Molotov to the U.S.A. and England
 
must be postponed for a few days owing to uncertain weather
 
conditions. It appears that this Journey can be made on a Soviet airplane both to England and to 
 
the U.S.A. I would at the same time add that the Soviet Government considers that Mr.Molotovts
 
Journey should be accomplished without any publicity whatever
 
till the return of Mr.Molotov to Moscow, as was done when
 
Mr.Eden visited Moscow in December last.
 
     In regard to the place of residence of Mr.Molotov during
 
his sojourn in Washington, Mr.Molotov and I thank you for your
 
kind suggestions.
 
May 15, 1942.