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for diverting German strength away from the attack on your country on the Western Front.
 
            This objective bears great weight with me.
 
     One of the compelling reasons bearing on my proposal is
 
that the shipping problem is our most difficult one. Therefore, the voyage accross the Atlantic for 
 
troops and munitions is much longer voyage accross the Pacific.
 
     A number of alternatives in the European field must be
 
considered.
 
     Therefore, I wish you would consider sending Mr. Molotov and a General upon 
 
whom you rely to Washington in the immediate future. Time is of the essence if we are to help in 
 
an important way this summer.  We will furnish them with a good transport plane so that 
 
they should be able to make the round trip in two weeks.
 
     I do not want by such a trip to go over the head of my friend, Mr. Litvinov, in any way, as 
 
he will understand,