DRAFT OF MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT             
 
               TO THE PRIME MINISTER, COPY TO THE           
 
                        FOREIGN SECRETARY                   
 
                                                            
 
 
May I ask your help in solving a troublesome problem which 
      is of deep political concern both for you and for us? Officers 
      of our Government bare lately discussed with Lord Halifax, Mr. 
      Ben Smith and Sir David Waley the possible termination of certain 
      lend-lease transactions which we have found to be embarrassing, 
      and no longer necessary. Your people have, as I understand it, 
      promptly agreed to take over the purchase of goods which cost 
      about $400 million in 1943. Final agreement on the whole list 
      of articles is expected soon, and the negotiations, in view of 
              their complexity, have gone very well.        
 
                                                            
 
 
Quite apart from these lend-lease negotiations, I have been 
      wondering whether it would be feasible for you to consider so 
      ordering your financial affairs as to re-duce your gold and dollar 
      holdings available to this country to the neighborhood of about 
                           $1 billion.                      
 
                                                            
 
 
         What do you think should and can be done?          
 
                                                            
 
 
F. Roosevelt