Интересная деталь

[a_kleber]

В связи с этим постом labas, покопалась в документах американского министерства иностранных дел в период переговоров о ленд-лизе для ссср. Удивила одна депеша от 11 сентября 1941 года:

861.24/642
Memorandums of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
[WASHINGTON,] September 11, 1941.

Participants: The President, the Secretary of State, Mr. Harry Hopkins, and the Soviet Ambassador, Mr. Constantine A. Oumansky

The Soviet Ambassador called on the President at the former's request. The Secretary of State and Mr. Harry Hopkins were also present.
The Ambassador brought up the matter of Soviet requests for credit, war materials, and supplies, which included a request to apply our lease-lend policy to Russia. The President explained in some detail to the Ambassador the extreme difficulty of getting the necessary authority from Congress on account of the prejudice or hostility to Russia and the unpopularity of Russia among large groups in this country who exercise great political power in Congress. The President also referred to the fact that Russia does have churches and does permit religious worship under the Constitution of 1936. He suggested that if Moscow could get some publicity back to this country regarding the freedom of religion [87] during the next few days without waiting for the Harriman mission to reach Moscow, it might have a very fine educational effect before the next lease-lend bill comes up in Congress. The Ambassador agreed that he would attend to this matter.
-----------
[87] For correspondence concerning the interest of the United States in the freedom of religious worship in the Soviet Union, see pp. 995 ff.

Т.е. Рузвельт попросил советского посла, чтоб тот побыстренькому организовал пропаганду в Америке о религиозных свободах в ссср, чтобы это повлияло на ближайшее голосование в Конгрессе по ленд-лизу. Учитывая всем известный руссо-патриотический и религиозный поворот в советской политике времен войны, получается, что в части религии это было связано еще и с нуждой в американской промышленной помощи? Вот те на.

ПС. В тех же бумагах попались указания, что из всех насущно необходимых для войны материалов Сталин лично настаивает на срочной поставке колючей проволоки. Нарочно не придумаешь:

861.24/644: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
Moscow, September 30,1941-10 a. m.
[Received September 30-8:30 a. m.]

1733. For Hopkins from Harriman. We have been presented with requirements for many new items of raw materials not previously requested. Most quantities involved seem entirely reasonable and we plan to indicate that their requests will be given sympathetic considera- tion.
Stalin is especially interested in one item, 4,000 tons per month barbed wire. Please rush answer whether we can give definite assur- ance that this will be released. [Harriman.]
STEINHARDT

И еще раз об этом:

861.24/659 Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
Moscow, October 4,1941-11 a. mn.
[Received 3: 26 p. m.]

1757. For Hopkins from Harriman. In order to translate the spirit of our conference into actuality urgently desirable that a maximum amount critically needed material be dispatched earliest possible.
First priority is tanks and aircraft and at least 66 light and 100 medium tanks should be shipped to Russia in October. Something over 100 light tanks must also go to Middle East in October in order to complete equipping British division. Will furnish additional details after further discussion with British.
Also as many P40 and A-20 aircraft as possible should be sent to Russia in October. British will adjust our deficiencies in early months.
Two months' supply barbed wire, namely 8,000 tons, is badly needed and should be forwarded this month if possible.