-2-
 
       The British are our partners, hence we must have the fullest and frankest collaboration with
them. Lend-Lease and merchant shipping must naturally be integrated in an overall requirmment
picture.
 
I feel that we may have our major impact with the enemy
in the fall of 1943. Therefore it seems to me that a supreme effort from a production point of view
should be given to producing the weapons and military units that we can bring to bear on the
enemy by that time.
 
       I think our general policy should be to put our munitions to work directly against the enemy
as promptly as possible.  We must always remember that the enemy is not going to wait for us to
be completely prepared.
 
       Pending a final approval of total requirements, which I hope will be in my hands not later
than October 1, I am prepared to authorize an increase in the Army by December 31, 1942. I
should like to discuss with you at once the exact increaze which should be authorized because I
fully realize that you must continue with your augmented plans.
 
Copy to: Admiral King.
 
mm/b