THE WHITE HOUSE
     WASHINGTON
 
                                   March 31, 1942
STALIN
MOSCOW
 
     It is unfortunate that geographical distance makes it
 
practically impossible for you and me to meet at this time.
 
Such a meeting of our minds in personal conversation would
 
be greatly useful. Perhaps if things go as well as we 
 
hope, you and I could spend a few days together next summer near our common border
 
off Alaska. But, in the meantime, I regard it as of the utmost military importance that we have the 
 
nearest possible approch to an exchange of views.
 
     As you are aware, we have been conducting a delaying action in the Pacific, but it is my 
 
belief that matters in that ocean are now fairly well stabilized for the time being. 
 
Furthermore, our increasing production program