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232
Joint Announcement of the Comptroller of the Currency,
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

The Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insure
and Corporation and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System make the following statement of their examination and super-

visory policies with special reference to investments in and lessa
upon Government securities.

1. Banks will be encouraged to purchase and hold Government

securities of the types that are designed for bank investment. Hold-

ingo of any such securities will not be criticised. There will be no
deterrents in examination OF supervisory policy to such investments.

2. Loans by banks repayable on a suitable short term or
amortisation basis for the purpose of enabling customers to purchase

or carry Government securities are desirable and will not be criticised.

3. Banks which utilise their reserves as far as possible in
making such investments and loans should avail themselves of the privilege of borrowing from the Federal Reserve Banks when necessary to

restore their reserve positions. They will not be criticised for such
action.

4. The increased earnings from such investments in and lease
on Government securities should be conserved for the amortisation of

premiums if any on such investments, to provide for possible lesses in

other assets, and generally to strengthen capital structures.

233
Leased Wire Service

Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System.

November 11, 1942

To All Presidents of Reserve Banks:

Referring to Secretary Morgenthau's telegram this afternoon authorizing the extension of Victory Fund organizations, the
Board of Governors looks on this expansion as a vital factor in the
war finance and the anti-inflation programs and asks that you give

it our full support. It is suggested that, pending Congressional
action on Treasury request for budget funds, the several Federal
Reserve Banks make the necessary expenditures with the understanding

that some or all of the outlays may not be reimbursed.
(signed) Marriner S. Eccles
Eccles

233
Leased Wire Service

Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System.

November 11, 1942

To All Presidents of Reserve Banks:

Referring to Secretary Morgenthau's telegram this afternoon authorizing the extension of Victory Fund organizations, the
Board of Governors looks on this expansion as a vital factor in the
war finance and the anti-inflation programs and asks that you give

it our full support. It is suggested that, pending Congressional
action on Treasury request for budget funds, the several Federal
Reserve Banks make the necessary expenditures with the understanding

that some or all of the outlays may not be reimbursed.
(signed) Marriner S. Eccles
Eccles

234

Sraft

November 11, 1942

Draft of proposed telegram from Secretary
to Chairmen, Victory Fund Committees

Following discussion of Treasury cash requirements
with Executive Managers on Monday and with Executive

Committee of Federal Open Market Committee yesterday

we have determined to go to public on November thirty
for a large amount of funds. A general announcement

to this effect will be given to the press tomorrow

morning. Assume you have received general outline
of program already from your Executive Manager. A

large part of the burden of selling the required
amount of securities must necessarily fall on the
Victory Fund organization and accordingly that organi-

zation must be greatly expanded. You are authorized
to proceed immediately to expand Victory Fund organization on both volunteer and paid reimbursable basis

at strategic points in your district.

Treasury Dept.

Final
235

Expenses of Loans

November 11, 1942

To Presidents, Federal Reserve Banks:
Boston, Mass.
New York, N. Y.

Philadelphia, Pa.
Cleveland, Ohio

Chicago, I11.
St. Louis, Mo.
Minneapolis, Minn.

Richmond, Va.

Kansas City, Mo.
Dallas, Texas

Atlanta, Ga.

San Francisco, Calif.

Following discussion of Treasury cash requirements
with executive managers on Monday and with Executive
Committee of Federal Open Market Committee yesterday,
we have determined to conduct a widened campaign

beginning November thirty for the enlistment of idle
funds in the war effort. A general announcement to
this effect will be given to the press tomorrow morning.

Assume you have received general outline of program
already from your executive manager.

A large part of the burden of selling the required
amount of securities must necessarily fall on the

Victory Fund organisations and accordingly these must
be greatly expanded. You are authorised to proceed
immediately to enlarge your Victory Fund personnel on
either volunteer or paid basis to whatever extent you

feel necessary at strategic points in your district.
We will make every effort to clear names submitted to
us as promptly as possible. We will-wite you early
tomorrow morning the press announcement.

H. MORGENTHAU, Jr.

Secretary of the Treasury

DWB:NLE

236
November 11, 1942
5:16 p.m.
HMJr:
Grace

Hello.

Tully:

Hello, Mr. Secretary.

HMJr:

In person.

T:

The President okay'd your suggestion about the

HMJr:

Yeah.

T:

Senator

...and said would you prepare a little line to

him.
HMJr:

Oh.

T:

For him to send.

HMJr:

Oh, I should do it?

T:

Uh huh.

HMJr:

Well, that's easy.

T:

Uh huh.

HMJr:

Ah

T:

So if you send it over, he'll sign it and we'll
send it along.

HMJr:

Tonight yet?

T:

Well, I don't know about tonight.

HMJr:

Oh. (Laughs)

T:

He's been working on mail. I don't know that
he'11 be here too much longer.

HMJr:
T:

HMJr:

Well, I mean there's no such rush.

No, but if you get it over tomorrow, we'll see
that it's signed and sent out.
Wonderful ! What a girl.

237

-2T:

(Laughs)

HMJr:

Thank you.

T:

All right, sir. You're welcome.

HMJr:

Goodnight.

T:

Goodbye.

238
November 11, 1942
5:21 p.m.

HMJr:

I had Senator Prentise Brown in today and asked
whether he wouldn't come with the Treasury to
help me.

Herbert
Gaston:

Yes.

HMJr:

I think I told you about it.

G:

Yes.

HMJr:

Then I asked Miss Tully to ask the President
whether he would urge him to come, and I just
got word from Miss Tully, the President said he

would.
G:

Yes.

HMJr:

But we should please draft a letter.

G:

Yes.

HMJr:

for his signature. So will you be thinking

about it and show me something in the forenoon in the morning?
G:

HMJr:

Yes, a letter from the President to
And I think that you could make it fairly glowing
and also for - see, it's for the President - thank

him for all he did, particularly on that last
fight, you know.

G:

HMJr:

G:

Yes, yes.

The President - you know how the Pres. - he
doesn't want to miss - he'd miss him in Washington
and he'd be of such use if he was here in the
Treasury. This would be the President speaking,
"Of course, I would expect you to help me from
time to time," and 80 forth and so on.
And that - and that you have asked the - and that
you have asked the President to - to - to ask
Brown if he wants to be with us.

239

-2HMJr:

No,
no, I'd make
as though it was on the
President's
own itinitiative.

As
was
the President's own initiative placing
himifinitthe
Treasury?

G:

No,
no, no, just that - simply - well, you think
it over.

HMJr:

G:

Yes, I will think it over. But that's the only

HMJr:

Well, you can say "Henry Morg If - you could -

"My dear Prentise: Henry Morgenthau has spoken to

Yes.

G:

HMJr:

"

How would that be?

HMJr:

I think that's the way to do it.

G:

"Henry Morgenthau has spoken to" - or, "Henry has
spoken to me about wanting you in

HMJr:

Yes.

G:

HMJr:

If

HMJr:

the Treasury, and I want to let you know that
it would be very pleasing to me, and I want to
take this opportunity
That's

"....for thanking you for all you did...."
Yup, that's it.
and I want you here in Washington, and I
want you across the street where I can use you from
time to time," and so forth and 80 on.

If

G:

G:

wanting you in the Treasury."

Yes, yes, I think so.

G:

HMJr:

"

me about.

G:

Yes.

HMJr:

How's that?

-3G:

That's fine. That's the letter.

HMJr:

Righto.

G:

I'll give you something in the morning.

HMJr:

Thank you.

G:

Goodbye.

240

241
November 11, 1942
5:31 p.m.

HMJr:
Ted

Ted.

Gamble:

Yes, Mr. Secretary.

HMJr:

I am too tired to take on the War Savings Staff

G:

Yes.

tonight.

HMJr:

So I'11 do it the first thing in the morning.

G:

Fine, Mr. Secretary.

HMJr:

And - I - I'll see you in the morning.

G:

Fine and dandy.

HMJr:

I'm too - too - too

HMJr:

Oh, I understand perfectly.
.... too tired.

G:

Yeah, we're all with you, whichever direction

G:

you go.

HMJr:

Well, that's all I want.

G:

All right, sir.

HMJr:

Thank you.

G:

You bet.

242
November 11, 1942
5:36 p.m.
HMJr:

John L.

publicity with everybody.

Sullivan:

Yes, I have.

HMJr:

Well, don't hold it up for me.

S:

HMJr:

Well
(laughs),
wish to
see it. it - it can wait a day if you
Well, I - I'm

S:

You've got a lot on your mind and...

HMJr:

I got several things I want to talk to you

about that Jimmy Byrnes talked to me about.

S:

HMJr:

S:

Is that 80?

But - it - I don't want - don't hold this up
for me. I'd shoot it.
Well, it can't go until tomorrow anyway.
Are you - you'll probably be just as badly
tied up tomorrow.

HMJr:
S:

HMJr:

No, I'm - I think I can see you in the morning.
Well, I thought you might like to see it
before we let it go.
Well, I'11 see you in the morning.

S:

Certainly.

HMJr:

Thank you.

S:

Yes, sir.

243

NOV 1 1 1942

MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT

(STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL)

FROM SECRETARY MORGHENTHAN

I discussed with General Marshall the matter of placing agents
engaged in Presidential protection in military status. No directed
Colonel 0. L. Nelson to advise the Chief of the Secret Service conearning the methods by which it could be accomplished, and attached
is a amorandum relating to the procedure which Colonel Nelson stated

could be followed. IS specifies that all of the agents may be -

in at once as privates and placed on permanent military forlough or
each agent may be sworn in as a private and placed on permanent f
lough a short time before it appears that he is to be industed into
the Army. It also specifies that agents over 35 years old having

military experience may be commissioned and immediately placed on

permanent inactive status so that they may continue to function as
Secret Service Agents.

I feel it advisable to have all of the agents promptly placed
in status which will assure their continuance in the detail and I
will request that steps be taken to commission eligible agents and
to swear in the remainder as privates in accordance with the proposal of Colonel Nelson. If you have in mind any modification of
this procedure, will you please advise no?
(Signed) H. Morgenthau, Jr.

Delivered by Serret Service

11/12-3:15 P.M.

/

November 9, 1942.
MEMORANDUM

TO:

Secretary Morgenthau

FROM:

Mr. Gaston

I attach a memorandum of Chief Wilson's
conference with Colonel 0. L. Nelson," representing

General Marshall.

I suggest:

(1) That in the case of members of the White
House detail who apply for officers' commissions and
are found eligible they be commissioned and placed
immediately on inactive status enabling them to
continue under Secret Service pay and orders.

(2) That when any others receive notice of

induction they be sworn in as privates and placed
on permanent military furlough status.

Mrs.

244

REFER TO FILE No

245

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON, D.
FRICE OF THE CHIEF

November 6, 1942

U.S. SECRET SERVICE

MEMORANDUM RE CONFERENCE WITH COLONEL NELSON

Colonel O. L. Nelson, representing General Marshall,
advises that the subject which the Secretary discussed with
General Marshall on Thursday may be handled as follows:

If it appears that an Agent performing functions relating to Presidential protection is to be inducted by

Selective Service we should notify Colonel Nelson about

ten days previous to induction. He will arrange to have

the Agent sworn in as a private at once and placed on
permanent military furlough. His employment by Secret

Service will not be interrupted and he will continue in
our service and be paid by this Service. If we desire,
they will swear in the entire group as privates, or as

many as we designate, at one time and immediately give

them permanent furloughs. If we wish, they will swear
in the Agents, promote them to sergeants at once, detail
them to Secret Service and they will be paid by the Army.
This latter procedure would result in a financial loss
for the Agent and is not advisable.
If any Agents are 35 years old and have military experience, they could be given an officer's commission and
placed in inactive status. They would not be called for
active duty and would continue in the Secret Service receiving their salary as Secret Service Agents.
Colonel Nelson stated that when this Department decides
which one of the above methods should be adopted to telephone

him and he will prepare a letter for us covering the procedure
we should follow when we desire action to be taken. He also
requested that when we notify the detail of the method we are
to adopt that they also be directed to consider same as
strictly confidential, as the War Department does not deem
it advisable to have others informed that this method is
being used.
BUY
UNITED
STATES
SEVINGS

BONDS

for

246

NOV 1 1 was

Memorandum to General Watson,

The White House.

I have ordered an investigation of Mr. Walter

Hughes, recommended by George M. Harrison of the

railroad brotherhoods for Collector of Internal

Revenue at Cineinnati and mentioned in the President's
memorandum of November 9, which was attached to Dan

Tobin's letter to you enclosing copies of letters

from Harrison to Tobin and from Harrison to Ed Flynn.
I am returning Tobin's letter and enclosures since

you may desire to reply to Tobin. I have retained
copies.

(Signed) H. Morgenthau, Jr.

Secretary of the Treasury.

CONFIDENTIAL

Del. by Mess. Simmons

3:35 11/11/42.

(Gaston kept original FDR memo
11-11-42

*

uss

and copies of above
toreferred
letters)

CC in Diary

247

November 11, 1942.

MEMORANDUM

TO:

Mr. Thompson

FROM: Mr. Gaston

Mr. Walter Hughes, 1811 Van Zandt Road, North

College Hill, Ohio, has been recommended for appoint-

ment as Collector of Internal Revenue at Cincinnati,

Ohio, to fill a VNacancy. wall you please cause the
usual investigation to be made?

Copy to:

Mr. Sullivan
Commissioner Helvering.

248

COPY

The White House
Washington

November 9, 1942.

MEMORANDUM FOR

THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY

What do you think?

If Mr. Walter Hughes is a good man, I

should like to do it.

F. D. R.

Enclosures.

249
COPY

DANIEL J. TOBIN

222 East Michigan Street

Indianapolis, Indiana.

Monday

November 2

1942

Maj. General Edwin M. Watson,

Secretary to the President,

The White House

Washington, D.C.
Dear General:

You might lay the enclosed letter before the President

and let him look it over.

George Harrison did help me during the last campaign.

He is getting a little bit sour on different things

because he believes enough has not been done for the
railroad men.

Therefore, it would be well to have the President look

into this request of his.

I can understand that Ed Flynn is not very active in
matters of this kind, but at least he should have
acknowledged receipt of his letter.
Sincerely yours,

(Signed) Daniel J. Tobin

DJT.GMC

250

1 COPY

BROTHERHOOD OF RAILWAY AND STEAMSHIP CLERKS

Washington, D.C.

October 30, 1942,

Mr. Dan J. Tobin

International Brotherhood of Teamsters
222 East Michigan Street
Indianapolis, Indiana.

Dear Dan:

I am enclosing copy of my letter to National

Chairman Flynn urging appointment of a very good

friend of mine, Mr. Walter Hughes, to the position
of Internal Revenue Collector, Southern District of
Ohio, located at Cincinnati.
I have not thus far sought or received any

personal consideration from the National Committee and
now I want this appointment for my friend Mr. Hughes.

I will appreciate your assistance to secure

the appointment for him.

Sincerely yours,
(Signed) Geo. M. Harrison

(KM)

COPY

251
BROTHERHOOD OF RAILWAY AND STEAMSHIP CLERKS
CINCINNATI, OHIO.
GEO. M. HARRISON, GRAND PRESIDENT

WASHINGTON, D.C.,

Hon. Edw. J. Flynn,
Chairman, Democratic National Committee
Mayflower Hotel,

October 30, 1942.

Washington, D.C.

Dear Chairman Flynn:

I have never asked the Democratic Party for any personal consideration, but now I want something.

By way of introduction may I say that during the last three
national campaigns I served as Vice Chairman, Labor Division, Democratic National Campaign Committee, and was delegate at large from

State of Ohio to last National Convention. I have personally contributed to the Party and my organization has contributed services
and money to the Party. Our Brotherhood is the largest railway union
and represents over 250,000 railway and express clerical, office and
freight house employees.

The office of Collector of Internal Revenue, Southern District
of Ohio, located at Cincinnati, is vacant and I want this appointment
for Mr. Walter Hughes, 1811 Van Zandt Road, North College Hill, Ohio,

who is thirty-seven years of age and is married. He is qualified to
efficiently administer this office. His education consisted of four

years high school and one year Cincinnati University. He is a Democrat and an active worker in the Party, being a member of Hamilton
County Ohio Central Committee. He is a former member of City Council

of North College Hill. He is state organizer Southern Ohio District

Young Democrats Clubs, and member of State Executive Committee of
that organization. He is now employed by Herchede Hall Clock Company,

Cincinnati, Ohio, as foreman.

I am informed Ohio National Committeeman Mr. Charles Sawyer is

neutral regarding appointments to this vacancy. Mr. Hughes holds ondorsements from eight county chairman out of a total of thirteen in
this revenue district. The other candidate for appointment is Mr.
Thomas Gallagher, and he holds minority endorsements.

I urge the appointment of Mr. Hughes to this office and solicit

your assistance.

Sincerely yours,
(Signed) Geo. M. Harrison
(KM)

252
BRITISH JOINT STAFF MISSION
OFFICES OF THE COMBINED CHIEFS OF STAFF
WASHINGTON

AIR STAFF

11th November 1942.

Dear Mr. Morgenthau,

I acknowledge your letter of November 3rd containing the
message which you wish transmitted to the Father of Sergeant Donald

Huntley. I shall send your message at once to the Air Ministry to
be passed on to Sergeant Huntley's family, who will of course most

deeply appreciate your sympathy.

I would add, too, that we of the Royal Air Force are
grateful for your thoughtful act and share your feelings in regard
to these young men who are now fighting side by side on so many
fronts.

Yours sincerely,

the Eim
D.C.S. EVILL

Air Marshal

The Honourable Henry Morgenthau,

The Secretary of the Treasury,
WASHINGTON,

D.C.

253

November 11, 1942
2:30 p.m.

FINANCING

Present: Mr. Bell
Mr. Haas

Mr. Stewart
Mr. Viner

H.M.JR: I heard that you people had a particular
kind of worry - peculiar to economists. (Laughter)
MR. STEWART: You are connoisseuring worries these
days, aren't you?

MR. BELL: With just one, you are all right.
MR. STEWART: Well, I have got them, coming out

of yesterday. I thought there were a lot of things
said and a lot of plans made, all of which fell due

about Thursday noon, or something like that. My first
worry is what sort of statement anybody can prepare
from three agencies, the Federal Reserve, the FDIC,

and the Comptroller, which will go as a joint state-

ment to the bankers who are going to meet in Philadel-

phia on Monday and Tuesday, giving them assurance that

their position will not be impaired by anything they
do on subscription to Government obligations.

These are three agencies that have never been able

to agree, and have all sorts of differences in viewpoint; where anything that is said, I think, has to
be very carefully prepared and has to be reasonably

specific if it is going to get a result.

H.M.JR: We have agreed before on some of these

bank examinations; you were in on some of it.

254

-2MR. BELL: That is right.
MR. VINER: Oh, yes.

H.M.JR: We got out a whole set of rules and regu-

lations. I refuse to be deprecated that way.

MR. VINER: Some progress was made in coordination

as compared with what the situation was before.

MR. STEWART: I know what it has been and know the

difficulties you go through getting FDIC to say that the
capital ratio does not matter - go ahead and subscribe.

MR. BELL: I think it is a little optimistic to
expect it at four-thirty this evening.
H.M.JR: You do not need that tonight.
MR. STEWART: You need it by Monday.

H.M. JR: That is all right.
MR. STEWART: No, I think, furthermore, if you
expect to put any formula in without having, in advance, complete assurance about the reserve position
which I do not think you have, it is dangerous, but
I

think they will begin to rely upon a formula rather than

an adequate reserve.

H.M.JR: Well, that is number one.

MR. BELL: I think you have to explain that a little.

The idea is that under this program the Federal would

like to force these banks to borrow under this formula.
Some of them will have to borrow if they carry it out,
and through that borrowing process they will force that
curve out of line.
MR. STEWART: The way George puts it, I think, is
right. Any formula which does not exclude excess reserves,

carries with it the inevitability of borrowing from the
reserve.

255

-3MR. BELL: In that connection, I just had time to

read a statement somebody drew up on this FDIC and

Comptroller of the Currency - it wasn't a joint statement, I think it was probably Sienkiewicz in Philadelphia,
in which one paragraph said that the banks will, no doubt,
during this program, have to borrow in order to meet the
Treasury requirements.

MR. STEWART: That is on my side. The other one
is upon what basis one talks with the American Bankers this Committee that comes down. I can see several

different bases. Again, if one is going to talk on the
basis of a formula, I would be disturbed about it. If
it is a matter of their taking the initiative to organize

a sales campaign, giving them your blessing, that is all
easy; but mixing a sales campaign with the rumor and

gossip that will go around as to who is going to be
assigned what quota, on what basis, would actually chill
the thing rather than encourage it.
H.M.JR: Let me just sum this thing up and see if
I have this thing straight as to what we are trying to
do in December. As I get it - we will leave out the

bills - well, a billion two of bills, and the seveneighths certificates - are those things all sold?

(See table entitled "Financing Program for November -

December, copy attached.)

MR. BELL: No, only five hundred million of the

seven-eighths were sold on November 1.

H.M.JR: But I mean the seven-eighths, that is not
something that needs selling - that is easy?

MR. BELL: That will sell itself.
H.M. JR: How about one and three-quarters?

MR. BELL: That is a banking, too, except that part

which goes outside of the banking system.

256

-4H.M.JR: That would be the thing that the banks
would have to do, and if we had no meeting with them
al
all, no campaign, we could still do those two things,
couldn't we?

MR. BELL: That is right; eighty or ninety percent
of it would go to the banks.
MR. VINER: And they would take them.
MR. STEWART: Assuming an adequate reserve position.

MR. BELL: The present reserve position would take

it because there is two billion dollars on each of them.
MR. STEWART: The present position will not continue,
though.

H.M.JR: I will come to that in a minute. Now, on
the non-banking, this is-MR. BELL: One billion eight ought to go without
anything.

H.M.JR: You have got seven-eighths and one and

three-quarters - five hundred million.
MR. BELL: Under a drive.

H.M.JR: Savings bonds, that is another story.

The tax notes--

MR. BELL: One billion one without a drive, and two

billion one with a drive.

H.M.JR: And the two and a half percent tap. So
it gets down to this: From the banking fraternity, new
money, we need how much?

MR. BELL: Five billion seven; five hundred of which
you have already got; some of the bills we have already

got.

257

-5H.M.JR: How much new money?

MR. BELL: It is all new money beginning November 1.

H.M.JR And the non-banking, you have three, nine?

MR. BELL: And three, six, I think it is, making
seven, six, if you get all that money outside of the
banking system.

H.M.JR: That is thirteen billion. How much could
we get along with?

MR. BELL: We could get along with eleven billion,
or ten billion six hundred and seventy-five million,
which allows us to go into January with a balance of

about three billion dollars.

H.M.JR: It does not say that here.
MR. BELL: Yes, "Need $10,675M" and that will allow

us to go into January with about a three billion dollar
balance

H.M.JR: That is a comfortable margin, if the whole
thing did not go over and above the usual effort, because that is what was added by the drive - three billion
six hundred and twenty-five.
MR. BELL: No, two billion six hundred and twenty-

five, because on your nine, six - a billion short - it
allows it to fail and we still go out with two billion
balance.

H.M.JR: That is comfortable. I am talking here
in the room; you fellows know Eccles just as well as
I do - you may know him better, but I cannot start in
this afternoon to try to sell him on the excess reserve
thing. The afternoon is not long enough; I won't get
anywhere, so it is useless. He has told me over and

over again, and I dropped the remark here yesterday

258

6that I expect them to keep enough excess reserves, and

any day that I say they are not enough, if I call them.
up and say, "Buy some more," they will do it. I want
to give Eccles the credit. I think he wants to see
this thing a success. I am not so suspicious of him
on the over-all as I am on some of the individual monetary hobbies which he has.

Maybe I am wrong on this thing, but I have thought

of this thing enough, now, to believe that we do not

have to do very much better than we would normally do,

through this procedure, and by watching this thing very
closely, the thing would be open for three weeks. I
know this is not normal - I want everything agreed to,
and everything set beforehand. That is the way I like

to do business, but you cannot do business that way with

Eccles and his Board. If the thing does not go well, if
there are not enough reserves, then we have to get them

in here and order them. "Now listen, Marriner, I am
not asking you, I am telling you, the way I had to do
once before, and I am prepared to do that." Now he

might come in and say, "Henry, that is not right; you

should have it all set." But I do not think you can,

and I do not see that I am taking a terrific gamble.
Am I wrong?

MR. STEWART: I think you are right for three
o'clock this afternoon.
H.M.JR: Well--

MR. STEWART: I would not go into five billion

dollars new money from the banks on what I understand to
be nothing more than some day calling up the Fed and

saying we want more reserves; I would go into it with
a carefully conceived plan, talked over from the two
sides and agreed upon in operation, but I would not go

into it this afternoon at three o'clock.

H.M.JR: I do not expect to go into it with them,
and I do not expect to settle it between now and this after-

noon, what we are going to do with the State banking authorities.
MR. STEWART: But the bankers - if they raise the question
of working out a formula-

259

-7H.M.JR: That is something else. But the only
decision I have got to make between now and ten-thirty
tomorrow morning is whether I am going to try to do all
of this in the month of December - raise two months'

money in one month; that is all I have to do. And I
have to raise how much, extra?

MR. BELL: You mean to carry you through?
H.M.JR: Yes.

MR. BELL: About two billion six, I think, will

carry you through the middle of February, at which time
we will have exhausted our balances. I think they

will try to keep the reserves above two billion, in
view of our last conference. I had another talk, this

morning, with Bob Rouse about the reserves, and I told

him we were still worried about the reserves, and I
hoped he would keep it in mind. He said he had in mind

a rather extensive buying program in the next two weeks.
He said he would have to do it whether he wanted to or
not because the insurance companies are selling a lot of

securities, getting ready for this tap issue. He said

he was going to have to put reserves on the market.
He said, "I am sure they will be well above what they
are now. Whether they are enough above to satisfy you

fellows, I do not know."

MR. HAAS: You are going to get a currency drain
at Christmas of six hundred million or more.

H.M.JR: That is right. Another thing is, you

could announce this program on November 30, and if you

do not open any banking issue until, say, the 10th, you
do not run up against this problem until after December
1st, sometime. They will have to go out then in order,
as you say, to meet the currency problem, and at the
same time supply reserves to put this issue across.
Can you wait that long?
MR. BELL: The money we will get in on this tap

issue, I think, will carry our expenditures. It will

come in rather heavily the first few days. I expect we
would sell seven or eight hundred million dollars the
first two or three days.

260

-8H.M.JR: They begin to draw interest from the day

of issue - I mean, they lose on it?
MR. BELL: Yes.

MR. HAAS: On the immediate problem you have deal-

ing with this group of bankers, if they want to send a
letter out to the different banks, it seems to me there

are two messages they want to give to the banks; one is

to help in the drive - help to sell securities outside
the banking system. If the letter was confined to that,

and forget about the formula which relates to the banks
buying securities, that would give you more time to
consider - they could submit formulas, but to give more
time--

H.M.JR: They are not going to help me much on

selling outside the banks.

MR. HAAS: I was trying to think out something
to give you a delay on the formula.
H.M.: JR: They are coming in as an industry and

offering to police themselves. It seems to me the
thing to do, Walter, is this. When they say this and
this and the other thing about the reserves, I will say,
"Now look, gentlemen, this is something I can settle
in the final analysis, because I am sure Mr. Eccles

will-- not say this to the Treasury," but that is the

idea. But you would save me a lot of time if you would
go to the Federal Reserve and thrash this out with

Mr. Eccles and come to an agreement with him.
MR. STEWART: No.

H.M.JR: Why not?
MR. STEWART: You do not want the bankers sitting
down with the bankers deciding what the excess reserves

will be

MR. BELL: I am not sure they won't agree that his
policy is right on excess reserves; even if they were

261

9-

lower, it might be to their advantage, because you are
probably going to force rates.
MR. STEWART: I do not think the magnitude in
people's minds - the conversation we had in George's
office was that a conservative estimate runs something
more than two billion dollars - somewhere between two

and three billion dollars of securities that the Federal
will have to buy. It cannot buy that much in the market;
therefore some device has to be invented by which the

Treasury gives securities direct - either direct loan
or some portion of a bill issue. But it runs around
two billion dollars in two months, and this is something
so much bigger than anything that I have heard anybody

talk about at the Federal Reserve or in the Treasury,
except Murphy and George Haas and myself. I think it
is a great big operation, and I would not touch five

billion dollars of bank issue in the light of your

last experience, without having that absolutely assured,
and I would not do it on a day-to-day adjustment.
MR. VINER: That, or reduction in reserve require-

ments.

MR. STEWART: Yes, I think it is a bigger factor
than allowed for in any conversation I have been in on.

You have got the regular increase in currency demand,
plus a Christmas demand, plus an uncertain reserve

know are to -

position as created by the fact that you open these
subscriptions outside first - and some banks won't quite
whatdrain
their customers
going
Twoanyway.
do and plus
steady
from New
York,
a half this

billion was about what they figured.
MR. BELL: For what?

MR. STEWART: Additional purchases by the Federal

Reserve, if you want to maintain the position about
where it is.
MR. VINER: Through these operations?
MR. STEWART: Which are so much bigger than anybody
figured on.

262

- 10 -

MR. BELL: We had a four billion dollar operation
in October.
MR. STEWART: Of Federal Reserve purchases?

MR. BILL: No, a four billion dollar purchase in
October in addition to all your bills - a billion two
in bills since then, which is five billion two, plus
your savings bonds, plus the half a billion on the
certificate; and you only had two billion six of reserve when you went in. Now you are coming out at

this end with two billion two reserves, and the posi-

tion has been maintained over six weeks with note pur-

chases in the market, some days a hundred and twenty

million, other days less - some days minus, because

they allowed their bills to run off - maturity dates.

MR. STEWART: That is dealing with excess reserves
in terms of what someone in New York thinks is the
market requirement indicated by the prices at which

bonds sell or by any adjustment of reserve positions.
MR. BELL: Of course, I would like to see them be

liberal with reserves until such time as rationing

or spendings tax or something gets through to sort of
lock up these funds. I do not know whether we ought to
say to the Federal, at this time, "We want you to lower
reserve requirements, or just keep pounding from time
to time: "We still do not think there are enough reserves.
H.M.JR: Well, now, you heard Goldenweiser make the

statement that I should consider that I have a drawing

account of five billion dollars.

MR. STEWART: Sure, that is the Federal Reserve's
present answer to not doing anything about reserves.

They leave the responsibility and initiative with you
to overdraw your account, as they call it, in order to
create the reserves - but they don't have the Federal
Reserve take any responsibility.

263

- 11 MR. BELL: That is what they want to do - have us
overdrawn, and, personally; I am not in favor of overdrawing our account except for emergencies. The tax
payment periods during financing periods, that is what
we told Congress that five billion was for; we ought
to stick with that and not let people get the idea we
are borrowing from the central banks.
MR. HAAS: It looks bad.
MR. VINER: Rather than the overdraft, I would
just throw bills in the market - enough to get you the
funds you need, and then they will have to take them
up.

MR. BELL: That is what they will have to do on the
seven-eighths percent certificate. They are going to
have to take a large block of that. There is no doubt
about that.

MR. VINER: Of course you do not want them to take

it in such a way that they reveal the full strain on
the market as they take it. I think that is basically

the issue. The question is whether the Federal Reserve they will help you to do the job you need to do, but
help you in such a way that in every stage the market
shows great strain and you are on edge; or they may

anticipate, and make it easy, and that is really the
issue. The mechanisms differ largely in the extent to

which they are designed to make the process easy or to

make it difficult, and I do think that the Treasury is
perfectly justified in saying, "This is the operation

we have to make, If and ask them, "To what extent are you

going to facilitate it and just how? Just what will

you do under varying circumstances? I would not suggest
to them what they ought to do.

H.M.JR: We went all through that. You have got to
suggest it. We went all through that once before.
MR. HAAS: This morning Walter and Jack and the

rest of us worked out a sort of a system, but I do not

264

- 12 -

know whether you want to discuss it now. It really
ought to be a longer session than this.
MR. STEWART: No, give a memo to Dan on it.
MR. VINER: The procedure--

MR. HAAS: It is your original procedure. That is

the Secretary's.

MR. VINER: Is it?
MR. HAAS: Yes.

MR. VINER: The logic of it is that you decide

what kind of borrowing you ought to make, and they decide
what kind of Federal Reserve procedure they carry out

in order to make that possible; but the thing is known

in advance by both sides, and is mutually agreeable.
MR. BELL: What do we do now?

MR. STEWART: You double your bill issues under our
plan.

MR. BELL: I mean, we decide, now, what to do, and
they decide what they do on the market end, and the only

thing is, they do not satisfy us.

MR. HAAS: You run your bills up sharply.

MR. VINER: If they do not do it then, you run the
bills up.
MR. HAAS: It is a pari mutuel. Remember when you
were discussing it?

MR. BELL: Eccles is favorable to running the bills
up. He thinks that is the way we will put in excess
reserves.

MR. STEWART: By running up - by changing from a

half billion to a billion?

265

- 13 MR. BELL: Not the amount, but he has wanted to

increase the volume of bills outstanding, right along.

He has been very much in favor of that.

H.M.JR: What do you think, Dan? Imean, if you are
going to do this thing, you cannot make any announcement
tomorrow morning. It means about a week's fight.

MR. BELL: Yes, we cannot do it tonight if we are
going to have this reserve fight. I do not see why you
cannot have a two billion dollar financing on the basis
of the present reserves, because the money you are going

to get in on the tap issue is going to roll back into

the banks about as fast as it comes in.

MR. HAAS: But the point is, the drain on the reserve currency and other things drawing it down. That

is what - the point is, in order to even maintain it at
two you have to do a tremendous amount of purchasing.

Does that have to hold up this whole thing? That is

something that has to be met some way or other - mean,

the bank's financing. Couldn't the drive go ahead

without this commitment? Something has to be done on

it to put the banking part of it over. I just wondered-MR. STEWART: That is not a decision I would want to
make, as to whether you ought to hold up a program in

the light of something that you have not agreed in
advance with the Rederal Reserve on. I would not under-

take to raise five billion dollars from the banks ith-

out some better assurance than I now have about the

reserve position being kept straight. It does not per-

suade me that the present reserve position is satisfactory,

or that you did, at an earlier time, raise four billion
dollars on an adequate reserve. I am more impressed
with the fact that the last time you tried it you did

not get a very good reception, partly due to the reserve
situation.

MR. HAAS: I agree to all that.
H.M.JR: I know George feels that way very strongly,

but after all, if we had had a third day, we would have

gone over. If we had been open Saturday - we were only
short three hundred million.

266

- 14 MR. BELL: Yes, three hundred million. Would you
feel the same way about a two billion dollar financing?
MR. STEWART: Not if you take the short stuff -

I mean, your seven-eighths.

MR. BELL: The seven-eighths first, which gives the

Fed an opportunity to pick up a lot of it, then in ten

days the one and three-quarters percent bond; that is the
way it is contemplated. It gives you ten days between
and ten days before you do either.

H.M.JR: I tell you what I will do. I will get

Eccles, Bell, and myself alone this afternoon, after
this meeting, and I will simply tell Eccles I am going
to go into this thing. "We need more excess reserves.
I am going to tell you, now, I am going to ask for them,
and I expect you will carry out the policy - that you
recognize that I am the boss, and that you give me what
I want, and let's understand each other.

MR. STEWART: Set yourself free from it 80 that Dan
or somebody can follow it from then on.

H.M.JR: Just you (Bell) and I will have him alone.
MR. STEWART: That would make me feel better. Then

I would still like to have George turn over to Dan some
of the things worked out which would give you a kind of
operating and administrative assurance.
H.M.JR: Couldn't you men do this, I mean, I am
just making a suggestion; couldn't you send for Goldenweiser, the three of you, and have him come over here
and see whether you can't sell this thing to Goldenweiser?
He seems like a fairly reasonable fellow, and say, "Have
you looked at it from this standpoint?"
MR. VINER: We can say that this has not yet been

put over at the Treasury, too, that it is still on the
staff level.

267

- 15 H.M.JR: Have him come over here and simply say,

"What is the answer?" If he says that you are right,
then
say, "Well, will you please go back"-- How would
that be?
MR. VINER: Fine.
MR. STEWART: Fine.

H.M.JR: Then if we know that Goldenweiser is on

our side - "After all, Marriner, your own staff sides

with the Treasury"--

MR. VINER: Of course, he may not let himself get

into that position.

MR. STEWART: I think he will consider alternatives

with us.

H.M.JR: I think Goldenweiser does a certain amount

of independent thinking. How would that be for this

afternoon?

MR. STEWART: That is all right.
H.M. JR: Bell and I will have our talk alone.
MR. STEWART: You can do it without going into
methods or details but because you want to have an
assurance for yourself.

H.M.JR: I would like you three to stay and hear
what the ABA has to say, so you get the feeling of it.
MR. BELL: I do not know whether you got George's

point. In writing this letter they had in mind, you

know, for one thing, to tell the banks they had a duty
to perform, to get the securities outside; and the second

was that any residual would have to be taken up by them, and
they would have to see that each issue went over; that

would be their responsibility, too. And they were going
to give them a formula on which to base their subscriptions to be sure to make each issue go over. George's

268

- 16 thought was to leave the second part of that - the
formula - until such time as we need it in connection

with the banking issue; then we can work out the formulas
and study them.

H.M.JR: Under this procedure we would have at least
two weeks to work it out.

MR. BELL: That is right.

H.M.JR: Certainly I do not need it until the 30th

of November.

MR. BELL: Yes, to get out there by the 10th.
H.M.JR: I mean, you have got a margin of two weeks,
if I say, "Come back in a week with a formula," because

the first issue you would sell would be a tap issue
offered to the public.

MR. BELL: I would have in mind opening them all
at the same time, but not the one and three-quarters or
the seven-eighths to the banks until sometime later.
H.M.JR: That is what I mean.
MR. BELL: You would open all at once?

H.M.JR: Not the banking issues.

MR. BELL: For the public.
H.M.JR: Not for the banks.
MR. BELL: For the banks, seven-eighths percent and
the one and three-quarters.

H.M.JR: I want you (Viner and Stewart) to see
the release for the public before ten-thirty tomorrow before it goes out.

269

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION

DATE Nov. 11, 19
TO

FROM

Secretary Morgenthau

Mr. Hoflich

Subject: Shipment of Planes to British Forces

1. During the week ending November 3, 1942,
148 planes, including 104 combat planes, were sent

to British forces from the United States.

2. Included in the week's shipments were 23
bombers and 24 fighters to the British Islee, and
nine bombers, 33 fighters and 38 trainer planes to
the Middle East.

3. Twelve Vultee Vengeance dive bombers went

to India. This is the first shipment of combat

planes to India since September 29.

-2Table A - Shipments by Area
Week

Ending

Total Shipped
in 1942

lov.3.1942
to the United Kingdom
Light and medium bombers
Heavy bombers

Naval patrol bombers

Pursuit
Army Cooperation
Trainers

Heavy bombers

Naval patrol bombers

Pursuit
Army Cooperation
Trainers

since

Jan. 1, 1941

15

692
153

1,853

4

93

24

1,053

195

o

119

0

Total to United Kingdom
to the Middle East
Light and medium bombers

to date

270
Total Shipped

257

1,364
150

O

24

2,110

47

582

9
o

3,843
912

0

5
on

o

6

6

33

737

O

64

64

38

304

446

Total to Middle East

80

1,585

1,693

3,018

to the Canadian Forces
Light and medium bombers
Heavy bombers

Naval patrol bombers

Pursuit
Trainers

3

86

o

1

1

23

31

o

Q

6

Total to Canadian Forces
To the British Pacific Forces
Light and medium bombers
Naval patrol bombers
Pursuit
Trainers

254

30

72

697

1,938

2,296

837

9

145

245

o

0

27

o

200

363

o

12

117

o

Total to Pacific Forces

752

357

0

to the British Indian Forces
Light and medium bombers
Pursuit
Trainers

12

186

186

o

40

40

o

67

67

Total to Indian Forces

293

293

12

To the British West Indian Forces
Army Cooperation

Total to West Indian Forces

20

20

o

20

20

o

Totals

Light and medium bombers

1,691

3,450

4

154
122

57

2,060

3,424

0

203

234

1,080

2,592

39

Heavy bombers

Naval patrol bombers

Pursuit
Army Cooperation
Trainers
Grand Total

44

148

263
259

5,310

10,222

-3271

Table B - Shipments by Types
Week

Ending

Nov. 3,1942

Total Shipped
in 1942
to date

Total Shipped
since

Jan. 1, 1941

Light and Medium Bombers

Boeing Boston III

15

0

Brewster Bermuda

Douglas Boston I,II,III

Lockheed Hudson
A29A (AC-151)

8

46

538

7

591

1,561

o

1
1

Ventura I

12

12

331

331

o

57

57

0

288

356

o

o

150

120
144

120
144

o

Ventura Bomber

on

Martin Marauder B-26A
Baltimore
Maryland

North American B-25

0

Northrop Vengeance

o

Vought-Sikorsky Chesapeake
Vultee Vengeance

39
39

39

Z

o

o

50

12

52

52

Heavy Bombers

Boeing B-17

Consolidated Liberator

4

49

69

0

105

194

4

122

259

o

315

Naval Patrol Bombers

Consolidated Catalina PBY-5B
Pursuit

Bell Airacobra
Brewster Buffalo
Curtise Kittyhawk
Tomahawk

Grumman Martlett II

Martlett IV

Lockheed Lightning
North American Mustang

469

168

o

0

1,320

938

33

544

0

O

o

57

0

149

98

149
3

o

3

24

593

673

117

139

Army Cooperation

Fairchild 24 R-9
Pitcairn Autogiro

Vought-SiRorsky 082U

Vultee Stinson 049

o
00

70

70

o

20

16

o

Trainers

Cesena-Crane I-A (AT-17)
Stearman PT-27

Total

700
170

86

T-50

Fairchild PT-26 Cornell
North American Harvard II

97

97

o

170
429
298

g

38
0

148

1,326
299

5,310

10,222

Table C - Plane Shipments to the British by Weeks
Week
Ended

Light and
medium

bombers

Naval
Heavy
bombers

patrol

bombers

Army

Pursuit

Cooperation

Trainers

Total

29

97

Weekly average

of shipments
in 1941

35

Weekly average of
shipments in first
6 months of 1942

36

4

77
42
66

17

39

o

32

0

July 7, 1942
July 14, 1942
July 21, 1942
July 28, 1942

August 4, 1942
August 11, 1942
August 18, 1942
August 25, 1942
September 1, 1942
September 8, 1942
September 15, 1942
September 22, 1942
September 29, 1942
October 6, 1942
October 13, 1942
October 20, 1942
October 27, 1942
November 3, 1942

Total shipments
since Jan. 1,
1941 to date 1
1

59
60
25

2

11
8

9

27

3

1

55

1

o

3

18

3

117

17

o

30

24

o

1

141
81

4

83

o

2

2

o

6

46

4

27

38

8

6

70

8

19

o

11

109
171
101

3

93

3

7

20

O

11

26

o

26

88

81

17

28

167

6

61

33

o

31

o

13

11

o

57

o

4

139

6

58

2

2

36

20

35

30

1

2

9

o

106

10

56

o

47

4

39

17

81

11

1

29

o

35
27

39

3,450

of

2

13

o

1

6

13

6

4

4

57

o

263

259

3,424

2

234

242
153
148
125
170

36

20

72

55
44

108
148

2,592

10,222

Total
planes
totalsincludes
up to that
date.shipped in 1942 prior to March 17 which are not included in the weekly

Table C
Week
Ended

-

Plane Shipments to the British by Weeks

Light and
medium

bombers

Naval
Heavy
bombers

patrol

bombers

Army

Cooperation Trainers Total

Pursuit

Weekly average

of shipments
in 1941

35

2

27

3

97

29

1

Weekly average of

shipments in first

6 months of 1942

July 7, 1942
July 14, 1942
July 21, 1942
July 28, 1942

August 4, 1942
August 11, 1942
August 18, 1942
August 25, 1942
September 1, 1942
September 8, 1942
September 15, 1942
September 22, 1942
September 29, 1942
October 6, 1942
October 13, 1942
October 20, 1942
October 27, 1942
November 3. 1942

Total shipments
since Jan. 1,
1941 to date
1

18

117

O

30

141

24

o

1

81

o

2

36

4

77

17

42

11

66

8

3

39

o

2

0

32

o

4

27

59

9

60

3

25

0

33

o

55

1

o

3

3

17

and

4

83

46

93

38

8

6

70

8

19

7

20

o

11

109
171
101

11

26

o

26

88

o

81

17

28

167

o

6

61

6

36

31

o

13

11

57

o

4

139

2

2

36

20

35

1

2

9

o

106

11

1

10

56

o

47

29

o

4

39

17

81

58
30

242
153

148
125
170

35

2

2

13

o

20

72

27

1

6

13

6

55

39

4

4

57

0

44

108
148

263

259

3,450

3,424

234

2,592

10,222

Total
planes
totalsincludes
up to that
date.shipped in 1942 prior to March 17 which are not included in the weekly

273

NOV 11 1942

Dear Mr. Stettimius:
Your letter of November 3 to which was

attached a copy of the final report as made by the
Interdepartmental Valuation Committee has been
received.

I am in agreement with the conclusions
as reached by the Committee and willing to accept

the report.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) H. Morgenthau, Jr.

Secretary of the Treasury

Mr. K. R. Stettimius, Jr.

Lond Lease Mainistration

516 - 22nd Street, I.I.

Washington, D. C.

Photo file in Diary
Orig. file to Mack
11/12/42

OFFICE OF LEND-LEASE ADMINISTRATION
FIVE-FIFTEEN 22₫ STREET NW.
WASHINGTON D.C.

November 3, 1942

Dear ar. Secretary:

On may 13, ar. cCabe wrote you suggest-

ing the appointment of an Interiejurtmental
Committee on Valuation to study the problem

of valuation of lend-lease goods, information,
and services. You agreed to this and on
June 9 appointed ar. Clifton E. Hack to work

with the Committee.

The Committee has completed deliberations
and has concluded that we would be warranted

in spending no effort to go into problems of

valuation or revaluation st this time. Details

of the Committee's deliberations are contained
in the attached final report of the Committee.

I am in agreement with the conclusions
reached by the Committee, and would appreciate
your advising ac whether the Treasury Department

likewise is willing to accept the Committee's

report.

Yours very truly,

E. R. Stettinius, Jr.
The Honorable

The Secretary of the Treasury,
Washington, D. C.

275

FINAL REPORT

INTERDEPARTMENTAL VALUATION COMMITTEE

Office of Lend-Lease Administration
October 29,1942

FINAL REPORT

INTERDEPARTMENTAL VALUATION COMMITTEE

General

This Committee was set up, by the heads of the Agencies

represented, for the purpose of considering problems of valua-

tion and revaluation of goods, information and services given
or received under the Lend-Lease Act. The Committee has held
four meetings during September and October 1942.

Division of the Subject

In its deliberations the Committee found that it was
necessary to divide the subject up according to the purpose

which is intended to be served by valuation or revaluation.
These purposes were found to be as follows:
a)

Reimbursement of appropriations,

b) Post-war settlement of accounts,
c) Judging the progress of the procurement program,
d) Accurate budgeting of funds,
e) Sale and lease of goods, etc.

f) Reciprocal aid.

Other than the case of items (e) and (f) the problem
faced by the Committee was one of revaluation of existing

figures rather than the problem of establishing values where
none were formerly available. In discussing each of the above

-2-

subjects the Committee arrived at its conclusions by considering whether, in view of methods presently being followed, in
view of the purposes to be served, and in view of the man power

required, there was sufficient need for establishing new
principles of valuation and for subsequently going through the
procedure of revaluing the existing data in accordance with
such new principles.
Reimbursement of Appropriations

In the early days of the Lend-Lease Act, the various
Agencies were placed in the position of transferring goods from

stock (under the so-called billion-three limitation). In transferring such stocks the Agencies were in effect transferring away
their former appropriations, and they wanted reimbursement for

this. There arose the question "How much is a proper reimbursement for these old stocks?"

An effort to settle this brought about Presidential Regulation No. 1
(copy attached) which vested in the Executive Officer of the Division of Defense Aid Reports (predecessor of the Lend-Lease Adminis-

trator) the power to determine the values of defense articles,
services and information, after consultation with the representatives
of the Treasury Department and the Bureau of the Budget.

-3-

The Committee is of the opinion that the conditions
which gave rise to the discussions for need for reimbursement are no longer present. The very sizeable appropriations made recently to the Agencies have enabled them to replenish fully whatever stocks they may have transferred under

the ao-called billion-three limitation. In consequence the
Committee recommends that no action be taken to reimburse ap-

propriations as a result of these transfers from stock, and
concludes that there is accordingly no need for doing any

valuation or revaluation of these stocks for this purpose.
Valuation for Post-War Settlement of Accounts
The Committee gave consideration to statements contained

in the master agreements with the various United Nations, in the
President's Report to Congress on Lend-Lease activities, and in

other official pronouncements. From these and from its own discussions, the Committee concluded that the entire subject of

post-war settlement is in an extremely nebulous state, and that

it is not now known, nor is it likely to be known until after the
war, what is the nature of the settlement which will be made. The

Committee further feels that this nature of the settlement is the
most vital fact necessary to a proper establishment of valuation

principles for achieving the settlement.

-4The Committee recommends in consequence that no action

be taken at this time, nor for that matter for the duration
of the war, on the problem of revaluation to establish postwar settlement of accounts. This, however, is on the assumption that good data be kept on what goods, information and services are being exchanged between the United States and the

rest of the United Nations.
Valuation for Judging the Progress of the Lend-Lease Program

The fiscal reports issued by the various Agencies (and
summarized by the Office of Lend-Lease Administration) are one
of the important means for judging up the extent of Lend-Lease

activity. The Committee considered whether the current valuation
methods were such as to distort this picture of the progress of
the Lend-Lease program.

It is the opinion of the Committee that the present valuation methods are entirely adequate to serve as a basis for
judging the progress of the Lend-Lease program.

Valuation for Accurate Budgeting of Funds

The valuation practices being followed directly influence
the extent to which funds are requested by the Agencies, and the

size and distribution of the subsequent obligations and expenditures. This has always been a problem in budgeting and is not
a new problem arising from the War. The Committee found that

-5there are differences among the various Agencies in their
methods of spreading overhead and in other practices affecting these values.

The Committee is of the opinion that, notwithstanding
these differences, the valuation procedures presently being
followed are good enough for the purpose of requesting and

,budgeting funds, and that the effort to work out a new set of
principles and to do the associated revaluation would not be
warranted for this purpose alone.
Valuation for Sale. Lease. and Other Current Procurement Problems

In some instances goods are imported from other govern-

ments and are sold by the Procuring Agencies to firms in the
United States to be used in war production. In such instances
it is necessary to determine the value of the goods to estab-

lish a sales price or a rental value.
The Committee found that such instances are relatively

rare, and that the existence of such cases does not present a
general problem in valuation. The Committee recommends that

such cases continue to be handled on a special basis as heretofore.

-6 Valuation of Reciprocal Aid

During the Committee's deliberations on this subject the Office of Lend-Lease Administration issued a
memorandum on the subject, which memorandum had for some

time been under discussion with various agencies of the
United States Government. A copy of that memorandum is

attached herewith and bears the approval of all interested
agencies of the United States Government.
Because the above memorandum covers the subject, it

is unnecessary for the Committee to reach any conclusions

on this subject.
Conclusions of the Committee

As noted above, the Committee found that none of the

individual purposes which are served by the present principles
and practices used in the valuation of goods, services, and
information warrant action to change such principles or prac-

tices. The Committee feels also that collectively, the purposes served do not warrant the undertaking at this time of
the development of a new set of principles. The Committee

-7accordingly recommends that this entire problem be laid
on the table and no action taken unless some new and

drastic set of conditions changes the facts sufficiently
to warrant a reconsideration.

J.M.Juranilk
The Committee:

Colonel E. M. Foster
Captain E. C. Whitmore

Lt. N. F. Pendleton
Mr. Clifton E. Mack
Mr. R. D. Vining
Mr. C. G. Cornwell
Mr. W. B. Robertson

Mr. J. M. Juran (Chairman)

-8Committee:

Representing:

Colonel E. M. Foster

War Department
War Department
Navy Department

Captain E. C. Whitmore

Lt. N. F. Pendleton
Mr. Clifton E. Mack

Procurement Division,
Treasury Department
Bureau of the Budget

Mr. R. D. Vining
Mr. C. G. Cornwell

War Shipping Administration

Mr. W. B. Robertson

Agricultural Marketing

Administration
Office of Lend-Lease Administration

Mr. J. M. Juran

Alternates, Visitors and Consultants
Who Collaborated in the Study
War Department

Colonel W. C. Rutter
Lt. V. Q. Harmon
Navy Department

Lt. W. J. Boeckel
Lt. George Bolger
War Shipping Administration

Mr. William U. Kirsch
Mr. J. B. Dixson
Procurement Division. Treasury Department
Mr. Thomas C. Stephens

Agricultural Marketing Administration
Mr. Leon Lundmark

Office of Lend-Lease Administration

Mr. L. N. Cutler

Mr. A. E. Davidson

Mr. R. Cameron

REGULATION NO. 1 OF THE DIVISION OF
DEFENSE AID REPORTS

EVALUATION OF DEFENSE ARTICLES, DEFENSE
SERVICES OR DEFENSE INFORMATION

Pursuant to the Act of March 11, 1941, Executive Order No. 8751
issued by me on May 2, 1941, and the Military Order issued by me on
May 6, 1941, I hereby prescribe the following rules and regulations
for the valuation of defense articles, defense services and defense
information transferred or received by the United States:

1. The Executive Officer of the Division of Defense Aid Reports,
or his designee from that Division, after consultation with representatives of the Treasury Department and the Bureau of the Budget, shall
determine the value of defense articles, defense services and defense
information transferred or received by the United States. The Executive Officer is also empowered to obtain any information which he may
deem necessary to a proper valuation from any department or agency of

the Government.

2. Defense articles transferred or received by the United States
under the Act of March 11, 1941, shall be valued by the Executive officer, subject to the procedure set forth in Section 1, by giving such
consideration as he deems necessary and proper to the cost, age, character and condition of the defense articles, the degree of depreciation
or obsolescence, the use or uses to which the articles are to be or can
be put, and any other criteria which he deems relevant to the proper
valuation of such defense articles.
3. Defense services rendered or received by the United States
under the Act of March 11, 1941, shall be valued by the Executive offi-

cer, subject to the procedure set forth in Section 1, by giving such

consideration as he deems necessary and proper to the character, cost,
and utility of such services and to any other criteria which he deems
relevant to the proper valuation of such defense services.

4. Defense information transferred or received by the United
States under the Act of March 11, 1941, shall be valued by the Execu-

tive Officer, subject to the procedure set forth in Section 1, by giv-

ing such consideration as he deems necessary and proper to the cost of
developing such defense information, the use or uses to which the information is to be or can be put, and any plan, specification, design,
prototype or other data conveyed in connection with or as a part of such
information, and any other criteria which he deems relevant to the
proper valuation of such defense information.
FRANKLIN D. BOOSEVELT.
THE WHITE HOUSE

June 20, 1941

(F.R.Doc.41-4772: Filed July 5, 1941: 9:05 a.m.)

Copy

September 22, 1942

MEMORANDUM
VALUATION OF RECIPROCAL LEND-LEASE AID

Representatives of the Office of Lend-Lease Administra-

tion have made a thorough investigation of the problems involved in valuing reciprocal lend-lease aid received from other
United Nations and have discussed those problems both with the

United States Army and British authorities in London and with
representatives of the War Department in Washington. That in-

vestigation and those discussions have disclosed the following
facts:
(1)

Aid furnished under reciprocal lend-lease

consists of a great variety of articles, materials, information and services. A substantial part of this aid is received in such form
and under such circumstances as to render its

valuation in monetary terms extremely difficult.
(2)

To require even approximate valuations of

reciprocal aid to be made by the United States
armed forces in the field would be impossible

without serioualy interfering with their operations.

-2(3)

To assign values to items received as

reciprocal aid at a central point in any
lend-lease country would involve the employment of man-hours and equipment vitally

needed in the actual conduct of the war.
The Office of Lend-Lease Administration fully recognizes

its responsibility to maintain records of reciprocal lend-lease
transfers. However, this responsibility, to the extent possible,
should be carried out so as to impose the least burden on the
armed forces in the midst of war.

On the basis of its investigation and in the light of the
foregoing considerations, the Office of Lend-Lease Administra-

tion has reached the following conclusions:
(1)

The Office of Lend-Lease Administration

will not require the United States War or Navy
Departments, the War Shipping Administration,
or any other Government department or agency to

place a dollar value on any articles, materials,
information, or services made available under

reciprocal lend-lease.
(2)

Where a country making available recipro-

cal lend-lease aid advises the United States

-3department or agency receiving such aid as to

the value of the articles, materials, information or services so furnished, such department
or agency receiving such aid should transmit
such value to the Office of Lend-Lease Admin-

istration.
Where a country furnishing reciprocal

(3)

lend-lease aid deems it impracticable to submit

a monetary value for articles, materials, information or services made available as reciprocal aid, the United States Government department or agency receiving such aid should ob-

tain and transmit to the Office of Lend-Lease
Administration information concerning such

articles, materials, information or services
in terms sufficiently descriptive to form the
basis for an approximate judgment of value
for any purpose for which such value may be
required.

George W. Ball:fhe

276

NOV 1 1 1942

My dear Mr. Stettinius:

This refers to your letter of October 30,

1942, regarding the proposals that all Lend-Lease
cargo moving to the United States ports be consigned
to the War Shipping Administration (1) in order to

facilitate the matching of available ships to available cargoes and (2) to be in a better position to
compile accurate information as to quantities, destinations, and specifications of Lend-Lease cargoes
en route to port.

This proposal has my approval in principle,

particularly in view of the fact that you intend to
disturb existing procedures as little as possible
and utilize existing personnel of the procurement

agencies in their present positions to the fullest
extent. I understand that representatives of the

Treasury Department are already working with the representatives of the Office of Lend-Lease Administration, the War Shipping Administration and foreign gov-

ernments to establish a mutually satisfactory oper-

ating procedure.

Sincerely yours,
(Signed) H. Morgenthau, Jr.

Secretary of the Treasury

Mr. E. R. Stettinius, Jr.

Office of Lend-Lease Administration
Five-Fifteen 22nd Street N. W.
Washington, D. C.

Photo file in Diary

JLL:C

Orig. file to Mack

OFFICE OF LEND-LEASE ADMINISTRATION
FIVE-FIFTEEN 22d STREET NW.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
E R. Stettinius, Jr.
Administrator

Wetcoer 30, 1942

My dear ..r. Secretary:

I an writin to you informed D: certain rec nt

developments me snervie lead to 9 CARD 17 the 100.00
of cons! nin. Lend-Letso OCCS OT United States COLLS.

is you show, 1 us 15W telt 100. time

that the present consi nment noting s undertisfactory :or two

reasons: (1) It nas ofer difficult to catch avelinble shi. S
to availsolt current in ort or PERCY to OF caliec to ort;
(2) it 185 beer. c.fricult to compile accurate information as

to the quantities, cestinctions and specifications of LondLease cer oes or their WR to port .or purposes O: cetermining
whether specific items should DO nivertea from their ori, inelly
intended use, or ermitted to :0 lorward.

The major reason :or he first cirticult has been

that in JOSE cases one cons' nee E"S not been the agency which

provided the ocean transportation. The major reason for the

second cifficulty has been the multiplicity or consi nees at

U. S. ports and individual variations among then in methods of
record keeping.

To remedy these weaknesses, it his been proposed by

War Shipping Administration that the consi nee of all LendLease car_o moving to United States ports DE the Nar Shipping
Administrator. The .ar Shipping Administrator would endeavor
to use as his acents one experienced forwarding organizations
already in existence.
This proposed change would mean (a) that in all
cases the agency celling goods forward to port would be the
agency which operated the ships carrying these goods away from
port, and (b) a single agency, and n United States Government
agency, would be the consignee in all cases and assume the

-2responsibility C: turnishing to all other U. S. Government
agencies any required intornation ano statistics1 data 98 to
quantities, estinations ANC S. ecifications 01 cargoes moved

to (crt.

This progosel meats with BY full a provel in principle And TPS 1120 ocen 4 reed to in rirci le by the War
Department. Drins of LWO TO osec directives (one to be issued PJ TOTAL ,4r Shipping Administrator, the other to be issued
oy
to put this plan into operation are enclosed
for me),
AND intended
consiceracion.

The .rr Shipping Accinistration proposal does not in

the least 22 te... 1⑉t2 NT in existing de storage sys-

teas esteulizies 1 656 various recurement agencies. It is

planned that SHOP recurement 8 enc. will move Lend-Lease oods

from the Isctor. to GE ets O. rated DJ the rocurement ajencies

unless F sherte_e in cepot STOCKS requires that the goods be

movec directly to port. In some ceses, with the approval of
the proper inlanc one ocean shipping authorities, the depots
ma be estaolisred in or near the ports themselves.

To the extent that it may be fessiole the procurement

agencies, with the appreval of this office, are to obtain fore-

casts of requirements of the foreign governments and are to
endeavor to maintain in the depot supplies of common Lend-Lease

items sufficient for appreximately chirty days' shipping re-

qui rements, una the office of Lend-Lease Administration will

from time GO time provide such funds " S may be necessary therelor.
Mr. Douglas has R3:ed me to emphasize to you that he

proposes to disturb existing procedures as little as possible
and intenas to utilize the existing personnel of the procurement agencios in their present positions to the rullest extent.
At an early dute it is nowed that representatives of
War Shipping Audistracion, Lend-Lease and your office may
get to ether IOP the purpose of ironing out the many knotty
problems involved in the proposed program. As you will note,
the present directives 9.00 only at Dasic general principles of
consignment and ao not touch the many operating problems that
remain to OE worked out by nutual study and conference with the
verious procurement agencies.

-2responsibility C2 termishing to all other U. S. Government
agencies any required intornation ano statistics1 data 98 to
quantities, cestimations AND s. recifications OI cargoes moved

to crt.

This proposel meats with my full a provel in prin-

cigle and 9120 been 9 reed to in rirci.le by the War

Department. sprits 01 LWO pro osec directives (one to be issued by ,9P Shipping Administrator, the other to be issued
by
to put unis plan into operation are enclosed
for me),
your intended
consideration.
the

Inc ."r SM ,Ing Achinistration proposal uoes not in

least 201 te... 1⑉t: ****** change in existing de ot storage systhe various precurement agencies. It is
planned that each recurement 8 enc. will move Lend-Lease oods
from the 19ctor. to ac ots OF crated DJ tue rocurement agencies
unless R shortage in cepot STOCKS requires that the goods be
tens

movec directly to port. In some ceses, with the approval of
the proper inland and ocean shipping authorities, the depots
may be estaolisred in or near the ports themselves.

To the extent tnst it may be l'essiole the procurement
agencies, with the appreval OF this office, are to obtain forecasts of requi rements of Lne foreign governments and are to
endeavor to maintein in the depot supplies of common Lend-Lease

items sufficient for appreximately thirty days' shipping re-

quirenence, end the Cifice of Lend-Lease Administration will
from time GO tice provide such funds "S may be necessary therelor.
Mr. Cougles has R3. ed me to emphasize to you that he

proposes to cisturo existing procedures as little as possible
and intenas to utilize the existing personnel of the procurement agencies in their present positions to the rullest extent.

At AII early date it is noted that representatives of
Ser Shipping Audistracion, Lend-Lease anc your office may
get to etner for Line purpose of ironing out the many knotty
problems involved in the proposed program. As you will note,

the resent directives aim only at oasic general principles of

consignment and go Let touch the many operating problems that
remain to DE worked OUL by nutual study ANC conference with the
verious procurement agencies.

I would appreciate your reaction to the proposal at
the earliest jossiole moment.

but
Sincerely yours,

-

The Honorable

The Secretary of the Treasury

Enclosures 2

Stettinius, Jr.

November 3, 1942

Directive with respect to storage, forwarding and
transportation of cargo intended for the government

of any country whose defense han beon deemed by the

President to bo vital to the defense of the United
States, pursuant to the Act of March 11, 1941.

To all departments, agencies, officers and persons of the United
States Department of the Treasury, Department of Agriculture and the United
States Maritine Commission engaged in the procurement, storage, forwarding
or transportation of cargo intended for the government of any country whose
defense has been deemed by the President to be vital to the defense of the
United States pursuant to the Act of March 11, 1941 (which government is
hereinafter referred to as a Lend-Lease government);

By virtue of the authority vested in the President b the Act of
March 11, 1941 (Public Law 11, 77th Congress), and delegated to me pursuant
to Executive Order 8926, dated October 26, 1941, as amended, and in order

to assure the most effective handling, storage nd forwarding to seaboard
of Lend-Lease cargo and to further the successful prosecution of the war,

it is hereby directed:
1. No department, agency, officer or person of the United States
Department of the Treasury, Department of Agriculture and the United States
Maritime Commission engaged in the procurement of Land-Lease cargo intended

for a Lend-Lease government (which departments, agencies, officers and per-

sons are hereinafter referred to as procurement agencies) shall forward or

authorise forwarding such cargo to a part or point in the United States for

export transportation therefrom by water (hereinafter referred to as forwarding to seaborad) except at the direction of the ar Shipping Administrathe. The routing of shipping documents in connection with such forwarding

shall be pursuant to the instructions of the War Shipping Administrator.

2. All such cargo shall be forwarded pursuant to the directive of

-2the War Shipping Administr.tor dated

, 1942, and the procure-

went agencies shall notify or cause to be notified the "ar Shipping Administrator and the representatives of the Land-Lease government concerned as

Lend-Lease articles become available for such forwarding. If such Lond-Lease
government desires that a Land-Lease article be forwarded to seabored, it

shall communicate its request the efor to the ar-Shipping Administrator, who
shall direct such forwarding to the extent shipping space is available.
3. The procurement agencies shall furnish all shipping Instruc-

tions to their respective cont actors, an: shall prepare or cause to be prepared all inlano ship ing documents employad in connoction thorewith.

1. The procurement agencies shall establish inland depots to receive all Lend-lease car o made available b their contractors, and shall
endeavor to forward such cargo to seatoard from such depots, except when in-

sufficient depot stoke o considerations of officient transportation require
forwarding to seabour direct from the contr ctor. the procurement agencies,
in conjunction with the Director of the Office of Defense Transportation,
shall arrange for such depots, and the Office of Lend-Lease Administration

from time to tine will provide the necessary funds therefor. The Office of
Land-Lease ddinistration shall obtain forecasts Q requirements from the
foreign governments on the asia of which the procurement a encies shall
endeavor to maint.in in such depots supplies os common" Lend-Lease items

sufficient for approximatoly 30 Jays' shipping requirements. The Office
of Lend-Lease administration will from time to tine provide the necessary
funds therefor. No such cargo shall he forwarded to seaboard from such

depots except at the Direction of the ar Shipping Administrator.

-3- 5. Prior to the issuance of instructions to forward to seaboard,
the procurement agencies shall notify the ar Shipping Administrator that
the cargo is available for forwarding to seaboard immodiately. If advised

that the cargo is to be so forwarded, and after obtaining the proper tranffic
control release, the procurement agencies shall instruct the depot or the
contractor accordingly, and shall imodiately cause the ar Shipping Administrator or his agent to be furnished with such information and documents as
may be required. After cargoes have been consigned to the Bar Shipping Ad-

ministrator, the ar Shipping Administrator, in conjunction with the Director
of the Office of Defenso Transportation, shall provide for such storage as
may from time to time be required while such cargoes are being called forward
to seaboard, and the Office of Land-Lease Administration from time to time,

whenever necessar, will provide the necessary funds therefor. honever
oargo called forward to seaboard is placed in such storage, the kar Shipping

Administrator shall proaptly notify the Lend-Lease Administrator, the LendLease government concerned, and the appropriate procurement agencies.

6. The procurement agencies shall comply with instructions issued
by the Munitions assignments Scard, through its committees, in cases within

its jurisdiction, or by the Lend-Lease Administrator in all other cases,
with respect to the diversion of such cargo to SOMO other use.

7. It shall be the responsibility of each procurement agency to
maintain or cause to be maintained appropriate records concerning all Lend-

Lease cargo in dapots, or in transit to such depots, and, to the extent
requested, to make the same available to the junitions Assignments board and
the Lend-Lease Administrator.

TITLE 46 - SHIPPING
CHAPTER IV - WAR SHIPPING ADMINISTRATION
PART 321 - FORWARDING AND TRANSPORTATION

Directive No.
Directive with Respect to Forwarding and
Transportation of Waterborne Foreign Commerce

of the United States

all persons (including departments, agencies and officers of the
To United States) engaged in the procurement, transportation or forwardof Lend-Lease cargo, or cargo procured, transported or forwarded
ing for the government of any country whose defense has been deemed by

President to be vital to the defense of the United States pur-

the suant to the Act of March 11, 1941 (which government is hereinafter
referred to as a Lend-Lease government):

WHEREAS, the aar Shipping Administrator (hereinafter referred to

as the Administrator) is charged with the responsibility of coordinating the functions and facilities of public and private agencies engaged
in forwarding and similar servicing of waterborne export and import
foreign commerce of the United States and controlling the operation
and use of ocean shipping (other than troopships and other vessels
excluded from the administrator's control under Section 2(a) of Executive
Order No. 9054) for the successful prosecution of the war; and

WHEREAS, in order effectively to discharge this responsibility it

is necessary for the administrator to correlate, in conjunction with
the Director, Office of Defense Transportation, the movement of cargoes

to port with the movement of ships available for carriage from port,
to assure efficient loading of ships, and to maintain adequate inventories
and records;

-2THEREFORE, by virtue o! the authority vested in me by the act of
March 1, 1942 (Public Law 498, 77th Congress), by Executive Order 9054,

dated February 7, 1942, as amended, and in accordance with the directive

to be issued by the Lend-Lease administrator, it is hereby directed:
Sec. 321.4 Scope of Directive. No person (including departments,

agencies or officers of the United States) shall forward or authorize
forwarding to a port or point in the United States for export transportation therefrom by water any Lend-Lease cargo or cargo procured or transported for a Lond-Lease government except at the direction of the administrator.

Sec. 321.5 Consignment of Cargo. All such cargo so forwarded shall

be consigned to the Administrator as principal. After such consignment,

in the event that instructions for stoppage in transit or diversion to
intermediate storage are given to the carrier or carriers, the Adminis-

trator or his agent shall be immediately notified by the issuer of such
instructions.

Sec. 321.6 Information Required. with respect to such cargo, the

following information, together with such other information as the dto

ministrator may require, shallbe furnished to the Administrator or his
agent as BOON as it is available:

(a) The identifying serial number and date of issuance of
the O.D.T. block permit and of the W.M.R. or other release, if any, authorising movement of the cargo;
(b) Confirmation of mo vement, origin, date of shipment,

route, mode of carriage, and identification of carrying

unit or units to the port or point of export;

3-

(c) Original and such copics of inland carrier's bill of
lading and of shipping papers as the Administrator may
direct.
Sec. 321.7 Preparation of Documents. Mith respect to such cargo,

the Administrator will prepare or cause to be prepared alldock receipts,
ocean tills of lading. customs declarations, and other appropriate
ocean shipping documents.

Sec. 321.8 Records Maintained by Administrator. The Administrator
will maintain or cause to be maintained, in such form as requested by
the interested United States Government procuring a oncies, records

concerning all such cargo called forward by him, consigned to him or his
agent or forwarded by him or his agent, and allsuch cargo loaded on
ocean carriers, and will make such information available to the procuring
agencies concerned, the Munitions Assignment Board, and to the LendLease Administrator.

Sec. 321.9 Compliance with Instructions issued by the Munitions
Assignment Board and the Lond-Lease Administrator. Whenever such cargo

is consigned to the Administrator, the Administrator will comply with
all instructions issued by the Munitions Assignment Board through its

committees, in cases within its jurisdiction, or by the Lend-Lease Ad-

ministrator in all other cases, with respect to the diversion of such
cargo to some other use.

Sec. 321.10 Limitation on Responsivility of Administrator Nothing
herein contained contemplates the assumption by the Administrator of re-

sponsibility for or control over stockpile, assembly, or transit storage
depots, or the forwarding thereto, before consignment to the Administrator.

4Sec. 321.11 Issuance of Supplements, Administrative Orders and

Instructions. Supplements hereto and administrative orders and instructions hereunder may be issued from time to time.

Sec. 321.12 Compliance, All departments, agencies, or officers of
the United States are directed to issue appropriate instructions to assure
compliance herewith and with supplements hereto and administrative orders
and instructions issued hereunder.

Sec. 321.13 Effective Date. This directive shall become effective
on December 1, 1942.

E. S. Land

administrator
War Shipping Administration

October , 1942.

Directives Nos. 1 and 3 were issued to the General Agents and Agents

of vessels owned by or chartered to the "ar Shipping dministration
and Directive No. 2 was issued to the Masters and officers of all vessels
in the Merchant varine Service and were not published in the Federal
Register.

1

287

NOT TO BE RE-TRANSMITTED

COPY NO. 13
BRITISH MOST SECRET
U.S. SECRET

OPTEL No. 392

Information received up to 7 A.M., 11th November, 1942.
1. FRENCH NORTH AFRICA

10th. There WILE increased enomy air and U-boat activity in the
MEDITERRANEAN, many attacks were made on U-boats, at loast 4 of which were promising

ALGIERS. One of H.M. Trawlers Bank c U-boat north of ALGIERS. h

British 2,000 ton collier was sunk in convoy by U-boat. On the 9th, French air
by our fighters were 11, 2, 8. Our casualties nil.
ORAN. FORT SANTON continued to cause considerable trouble early

yantorday, but it is now reported that both the French Naval and Army Forces are
surrondering, and the town was captured soon after midday, the harbour has been

blocked. On the 9th French air casualties by United States fighters 3, nil, nil.

United States casualties 3, nil, nil. Two pilots safe.

MOROCCO. Armoured units are making headway in the North and South
but strenuous resistance continues at CASABLANCA, where advancing troops vero hold

up by artillery fire. Tanks have been landed at SAFI and 400 prisoners taken. Airfield at PORT LYAUTEY has been occupied. Two French destroyers which made is sortie
were engaged and withdrew. Unloading of supplies and equipment slowed up by large
number of boat casualties on beaches.
2. NAVAL

9th. Motor torpedo boats attacked 8 convoy at night off the Dutch
Coast, obtaining one hit on a 5,000 ton tanker and possibly hitting two other ships.
Our forces sustained no damage or casualties. At 6:30 A.M. on 10th one of H.M.
Submarines claimed two hits on an enemy force of three cruisers and three destroyer
off East SICILY. Naval aircraft also claimed two hits. On October 25th, in the
STRAIT OF MALACCA A Dutch submarine claimed to have hit one 5,000 ton ship out of E
convoy of four off PENANG.
3. AIR OPERATIONS

WESTERN FRONT. 9th/10th. HAMBURG. Over 350 tons of bombs were

dropped on the torn and the neighbourhood. Cloud made visual identification of the

objective difficult.

10th. 1'5 Bostons oscorted by fighters bombed the docks at HAVRE.
Two enemy aircraft were shot down off our coests.

10th/11th. 50 aircraft word sent sea mining.
EGYPT. 9th. Light bombers and fighters successfully attacked enony
mechanical transport in the SOLLUM area and destroyed or damaged many vehicles.

Anomy fighter activity increased in the afternoon. At night onemy mechanical trais
port was bombed between SOLLUM and BARDIA.

SARDINIA. 9th/10th. Wellingtons bombed two airfields.

Treasury Department

Office of the Secretary
Date Nov. 11,

to:

8

1942

Secretary Morgenthau

rom: Mr. Hoflich
Subject: Of Possible Interest "Voice of the Chief" .
You may be interested in the

opended report of a "Voice of the
nief" broadcast, which gives the
Chief's" reactions to General
iraud's escape and the new situaion in North Africa.

VOICE OF THE CHIEF

289

GESTAPO LAXITY HELPED GIRAUD ESCAPE

Gestapo stupidity and laxness are blamed for the escape of
General Giraud by "The Voice of the Chief" (November 9). "The
Chief" also mocks proponents of Hohenstauffen "geopolitik", and
says the Bolshevike must be crushed first with the accent taken

off the African arena "which for us, after all, has no other
value than serving as a profiteer's heaven.

"Now we have the whole abomination! After the
Gestapo
Admiral
Canaris'
report
on
enemy
movements
48 hours
declared

later the Americans in North Africa. And a man that the Gestapo
said was safe and sound in France suddenly shows up in North Africa.
And this man, Giraud, lets out an appeal in North Africa that
reveals the whole game the French swine have been playing from the
Canaris had reported to headquarters about
very beginning
Giraud, but Himmler gave his grand assurances that there must be
some mix-up because Giraud is under the reliable supervision of

his best man in (Miramar) on the Riviera.

"Yes, he was there once, good old Giraud. Himmler summoned
his Sonderfuehrer (Swinger, Luedtke, and Volupka) and they were
ordered to keep an eye on him 80 that he wouldn't disappear again
88 he did last year from Fort Koenigstein when he pulled an old

stunt with a railroad ticket, second class, and disappeared into
Switzerland right under the eyes of the (obscenity) Gestapo.
But the reliable supervision of Herren (Swinger, Luedtke, and

Volupka) these city czare amusing themselves in Cannes and Nice,
and while they were carousing and whoring around, two Frenchmen
packed General Giraud into an airplane and shipped him to North
Africa.
"The three Gestapo men didn't even have the nerve to report

the disappearance of Giraud. They simply let history go on without them - but with Giraud in Africa. That's Gestapo work in
its purest form!

"Slugging little children, trying out soldiers' wives - that's

what they're good at. But when they're supposed to take over some

real responsibility, when it's a matter of watching a General then they're a flop, just as they've failed in every real task.

"And the same bragging strategists who had the crust two days

ago to minimize the report of Admiral Canaris as nothing more than
an alarmist rumor, are trying to capitalize on the spectacle in
North Africa. As if the war were lost, because a bunch of gum-

chewing Americans are running aroundwho
in North
Africa
and making
our friends.
as things
were
common cause with French General

-2-

290

"Let them say what they want, the Himmlers and the Rommels
who consider the Mediterranean of such eminent importance for

their so-called (war-concept), that they still won't give up

their Hohenstauffen plan. Let this geopolitical 'Kommune' of
vest-pocket philosophers keep on as 1f North Africa alone

meant everything.

"For us who want to win this war and nothing more, for us
the only thing that matters is the one thing that Halder and

Rundstedt, all those men, have said who know something about

running a war - our task is the destruction of Bolshevism. We
or not, before we do anything else.
"If the Mediterranean was 80 important for them, then they
should have dealt with it before they started with Bolshevism,
because the whole strategy of our military leadership consists
of solving only one task at a time - in order not to let ourselves be (defeated) simultaneously. Our task can only be

have started with it and we have to finish it, whether it

fulfilled in the East and it is to continue the advance there
instead of at the same time keeping an area open which for us,

after all, has no other value than serving as a profiteer's
heaven for the degenerate 'Kommune' clique

(Federal Communications Commission, November 10, 1942)

-

291

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION

DATE Nov.11, 1942
TO

FROM

Secretary Morgenthau

Mr. Hoflich

Subject: Summary of Intelligence Reports

British convoy losses
Two reports have been received of the torpedoing

and probable sinking of 16 ships (10 British, 3 Greek,
2 Dutch, one U.S.) in a recent convoy enroute from
America to England.

(Cable No. 3106, Stockholm, November 4, 1942; U. K.
Operations Report, November 9, 1942)

Japanese troops in South Pacific
Japanese troops in Middle Melanesia were estimated

on October 27 to number from 53,000 to 70,000 - 18,000 to

20,000 on Guadalcanal, 10,000 at other points in the
Solomons, and 25,000 to 40,000 in the Rabaul frea. Since
then, during the night of November 2-3, Japanese reinforcements were landed east of Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.
(o.s.s., "The War This Week", October 29 - November 5,1942)

292
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
WASHINGTON

November 12, 1942

TO THE SECRETARY:

Chairman Eccles called at 7:00 p.m.
yesterday to advise me, in compliance with

your request made earlier in the day, that
as far 2.8 the Board is concerned, it will
stand committed on an informal basis to
comply with any request from the Secretary
that excess reserves be increased. The Board

wanted to call to your attention that it is
required by law to publicly state in its report

to Congress, the reasons for the action that
it takes in connection with reserves, and in
view of this, if there is a disagreement between
the Board and the Treasury on the request, it
might have to state in its record that the action
is being taken at the request of the Secretary
of the Treasury.
I told him that I appreciated the authority
under which the Board was operating and that I
was sure the Secretary of the Treasury would be
willing to assume this responsibility. After
all, this is war and some one has to assume it.

DWB

DRVICTORY

BUY
WAR
BONDS

293

November 12, 1942
9:15 a.m.
FINANCING

Present: Mr. Bell
Mr. Buffington
Mr. Gamble
Mr. Schwarz
Mr. Kuhn
Mr. Wanders

Mrs. Klotz

Mr. Odegard

H.M.JR: I see you have changed this. (See attached

statement)

MR. KUHN: We have just changed a couple of words

and also changed the order of it. Eccles heard it
last night and said it was a fine statement.

H.M.JR: I think we ought to fix a date and not

leave any uncertainty.

MR. KUHN: It adds precision to it.
MR. WANDERS: I think the statement is excellent.

H.M.JR: You decided to leave in "In addition to
conducting a campaign on 'Tap' bonds," did you?

MR. BELL: I think that ought to be in. That is
the one bit of news in there. That is the one thing
we all agree on, that the tap ought to be opened.
MR. BUFFINGTON: I agree with that.

H.M.JR: (Reading) "Such notes ease the taxpaying
problems of the purchasers and at the same time assist
a

the current position of the Treasury." Isn't that
little bit too - you wouldn't want to say assist cash

294

-2balances of the Treasury"?

MR. BELL: That is true of tax notes - to keep

money coming in every day.

H.M.JR: Wouldn't "cash balance"-- --

MR. BUFFINGTON: I think you are right. Will the

public understand that? They usually think of it in
terms--

MR. BELL: "To help the cash position" - "To
assist the cash position" - "To add to the Treasury
cash."

MR. KUHN: "Strengthen the cash position." If

H.M.JR: No, "Add to."
MRS. KLOTZ: "Increase."

MR. KUHN: You add to the cash resources - to the

cash balances.

MR. BELL: You add to the current cash balance.

H.M.JR: It doesn't have to be current.
MR. BELL: It is current, because it comes in
daily.

H.M.JR: "Add to the current cash position."
MR. BELL: "Balance" probably goes better with

the "cash."

H.M.JR: All right, "Current cash balance in the

Treasury"- "Add to the current cash balance of the
Treasury."

"Since only a portion of the necessary funds will
be raised through sales of Government securities to the

295

-3 public, it is the intention of the Treasury likewise

to offer one or more series of open market securities

for subscription by banks and others." I don't like
the word "portion; it sounds as though it is a small

portion.

MR. KUHN: "Since not all of it--"
H.M.JR: Would a "part". - "Since only a part of
the necessary funds" - I don't like the word portion."
MR. KUHN: If you want to meet your objection,
"Not all of the necessary funds can be raised through
sales of Government securities to the public."

H.M.JR: That is all right.
MR. KUHN: Or "Will be raised."
H.M.JR: "Since all of the necessary funds through
the sale of Government securities to the public"--

MR. BELL: "Since not all of the--'
MR. WANDERS: I wondered about that word "public,"

because, after all, all your sales are to the public.

"Since not all of the necessary funds are raised through
sales of tax notes and war savings bonds, other securities
will have to be offered," and so on.

H.M.JR: Well, you get the idea. I don't care about
the language.

MR. KUHN: We will fix it.

H.M.JR: I don't like the word "portion," but I
think you might just as well be specific. You have
time enough.
MR. WANDERS: Sure.

H.M.JR: You say "one or more" securities to the
banks - then up there you can say "through the sale of

296

-4war savings bonds and tax notes," and so forth. You

can't get it all.

MR. BELL: "Securities to investors outside of

the banks."

H.M.JR: Why not simply say what Mr. . Wanders said,
and list them?

MR. WANDERS: After all, you are going to sell a

lot of one and three-quarters to the public as well as
to the banks.

H.M.JR: You fellows figure it out.
"In particular, the War Savings Staff will intensify

its Payroll Savings drive in November and December, with

the aim of raising the present figure of 23,000,000
workers now investing an average of eight per cent of
their pay to a figure of at least 30,000,000 workers
setting aside an average of at least ten per cent of

their earnings every pay day. 11 Do you want to go out

on the end of a limb on that?

MR. GAMBLE: I think it is very good from our
point of view.
MR. KUHN: We have said so.

H.M.JR: Have you publicly?
MR. BELL: I did in my speech in New York.

H.M.JR: How near are you going to come to it?

MR. GAMBLE: We will be close to it; it is not

a

difficult job. We think we are going to make it.
H.M.JR: I hate to make these statements and then
"Why didn't you, Mr. Morgenthau?"
MR. GAMBLE: We moved up four million people

last month. With this drive we ought to be able to
close the gap on the seven.

297

-6MR. BELL: Yes.

H.M.JR: Now, two, I asked the Advertising
Council down - who is on it?
MR. KUHN: Miller McClintock.

H.M.JR: He is what?
MR. KUHN: He is the chairman of the Council.

H.M.JR: Is he chairman?
MR. GAMBLE: I think he is the executive secretary.

Chester LaRoche is chairman.

MR. BELL: He talked as though Thomas was the boy.

H.M.JR: Why not say that I met with Miller

McClintock and Mr. Thomas, Harold Thomas?

MR. GAMBLE: As Treasury liaison, Advertising

Council - that is correct.

H.M.JR: Liaison between the Council and Treasury.

You get me that, will you?
Then, three - Mr. Kuhn, find out from Bathrick what

R. H. Grant's title is. I think he is vice president in

charge of sales of General Motors - form advisory council
of national sales managers - names to be furnished later
on.

MR. BELL: You haven't got those names now?

MR. KUHN: I have about five, but I don't know

that that is the complete committee. I will ask him
if he would like this announced today.
H.M.JR: You have got an hour.
MR. BELL: He said there were two more that Grant
would get.

298

-5H.M.JR: "With the aim of raising," that is all

right.

WANDERS: There would not be a commitment;
that MR.
is why
we put it in.

H.M.JR: Do you think it is all right?
MR. SCHWARZ: The Treasury has already made a
commitment in Dan's speech.

MR. BELL: I think it is more like what is in

here, but we did say our goal was thirty million and
ten percent.

H.M.JR: That is all right. I like that.
Now, Wanders, let me put down some of the additional

things I am going to say, and you think of the things
that you would like to know if you were in New York and
did not know anything about this. What I thought I

would say is this: I thought I would say in planning

this thing that, one, the ABA has appointed a committee
to work with us on the sale of Government securities,
both through the Victory Fund and through the banks.

Have you got that list?

MR. BELL: I am getting it. We had the names,

but we did not have their title or banks.

H.M.JR: Should we get Stonier over here so he

could have a little statement ready?

MR. BELL: As long as you don't say anything more

than that - I don't think I would go into details as
to what they are going to do.

H.M.JR: A, assist Victory Fund Committees, and,

B, assist in sale to banks.

MR. BELL: Government securities to banks.
H.M.JR: Sale of Government securities to banks.
Right?

299

-7H.M.JR: And, four, OWI will assist.
Now, who have I overlooked? And last, but not

least, the Federal Reserve Board - that is five.
MR. BELL: They are always in the picture.

H.M.JR: Five, Federal Reserve Board and twelve
presidents, who are chairmen of the Victory Fund

Committees. Then I will put Mr. Eccles - he is taking
a great personal interest. Right?
Now, who else? I can try to give the idea that

this is a--

MR. WANDERS: It is a rounded program, taking in
everybody.
H.M. JR:

Advertising Council, national sales

managers, OWI, Federal Reserve Board, twelve presidents

of the Federal, ABA - does that make a story?
MR. WANDERS: Yes.

H.M.JR: Get those names.

Now, Chick, what else would you think the boys

would want to know?

MR. SCHWARZ: On the financing?

H.M.JR: Yes.

MR. SCHWARZ: I think they have got a story here.
They will always ask for more, more figures and terms.
MR. WANDERS: They will want to know whether you

are going to do any advertising or whether you employed
these people merely in an advisory capacity.

H.M.JR: I have asked them to bring in a plan.

300

-8WANDERS: I am asking the questions - you
askedMR.
what
they will want to know.

H.M.JR: The answer is, "Mr. Jones, I don't know

until the Advertising Council brings in a plan, but

they are working on a plan now, and so is this council
of sales managers. They will have something early
next week. I will have to tell them that I have
only decided the last twenty-four hours that I am
going to go ahead with this. What else would they want?
MR. BELL: They will want to know the amount.
MR. KUHN: How much do you hope to raise, Mr.

Secretary?

H.M. JR: I am not ready yet to announce that.

MR. KUHN: Is this going to be another drive with
a parade and rallies and movie stars?
H.M.JR: Gamble has a monopoly on that. (Laughter)
MR. SCHWARZ: Are you clinging to the two percent

interest rate?

H.M.JR: No, we crossed that bridge on the last
financing. Our policy has been set.
MR. SCHWARZ: That is the story.
MR. WANDERS: Are you going to use any pressure
on the banks?

H.M.JR: I will, if necessary.
MR. WANDERS: Are you going to admit that?

H.M.JR: Why not?
MR. WANDERS: I don't see why not, because you

will probably have to.

301

-9H.M.JR: Why not? Will that shock anybody?
MR. WANDERS: No, I don't think so, but I would

put it delicately, if I were you, in the sense that they
will be instructed - or rather, the suggestion will be

made to them more directly that excess reserves could be
employed in accordance with Sproul's letter to the banks

up in that District.

H.M.JR: Maybe I had better say that I am sure
it won't be necessary.
MR. WANDERS: That would be wiser.

MR. BELL: I would say you hope through this ABA
Committee to get the cooperation of the banks.

H.M.JR: Of course, they have not agreed on that.

MR. BELL: Don't use the word "policing;" that

really shocked them yesterday.

H.M.JR: The president of that bank is good. He
said, "Leave it to us; we will take care of the banks."

The committee says, "My gawd, they are going to police

us? Who suggested this?" He did suggest that, didn't
he?

MR. BELL: That is right, he suggested writing a

formula, but when Ned Brown and the other fellows heard

the word policing, 11 they went right through the ceiling.

H.M.JR: I will say that I hope it won't be
necessary. That leaves a little implication.
MR. WANDERS: That is a good phrase. They will

needle you on that, I am afraid.
H.M.JR: Who?

MR. WANDERS: The boys. Of course, they can read,
too.

302

- 10 H.M.JR: Do you know what I told the bankers
yesterday about doing their own policing? They were

all grumbling and I said, "You might just as well call
a spade a spade. Somebody is going to do it; and if

you don't I will; so make up your minds who you want

to do it. I said, "Somebody has got to tell the banks -

these that are not taking their quota," and the Federal
Reserve presidents will like that.
MR. SCHWARZ: There is implied pressure in the

phrase, "I hope it won't be necessary."

H.M.JR: Everybody knows I did it last time.
What else?

MR. WANDERS: But would it be wise to admit it

officially?

H.M.JR: They asked me at my press conference if
we had called up the banks and asked them to take

additional subscriptions, and I said, "Yes." I told
them we did. I am a very truthful person.

MR. WANDERS: If I were in the press conference,

I think I would ask you if you had any special plans

for some of these western and southwestern banks that
are obviously reluctant because they are used to higher

interest rates.

H.M.JR: There is a tough one, Bell - used to a
higher rate.
MR. WANDERS: They are accustomed to higher interest
rates.

H.M.JR: Like Jack Garland, used to sixteen percent.
MR. BUFFINGTON: You told them they would like this

two percent rate when they got used to it.
MR. KUHN: Isn't that one of the purposes of the
ABA committee, so you can reach westerners?

303

- 11 -

H.M.JR: I will have to tell them - going back to
my Farm Credit - I said that whether you live fifty

miles from New York City or two thousand miles, you
can borrow - farm mortgage, at the same interest rate.
There is no reason why the southwest - they can borrow
from the Federal Reserve Banks at the same rate.

MR. WANDERS: It would be well if you got that

in as sort of a tip down there.

H.M.JR: The boys aren't as smart as that. Do
you think Wanders could come to the press conference?

MR. KUHN: I would not think so.
MR. WANDERS: I am not able to stay.

H.M.JR: No, I mean as a guest, not as a reporter.
MR. KUHN: I wouldn't do that. I wouldn't have
him come in as a reporter.

H.M.JR: No, that would be a mistake. I don't
think they are that smart.
MR. SCHWARZ: They might be smart; they are lazy.

H.M.JR: I don't know where the one begins and the

other ends. (Laughter)

MR. WANDERS: I would say that I hope to utilize

the ABA mechanism, which is now being made available,

in order to make the banks down there realize what the

situation is and what their duties are.

H.M.JR: I will do that.
What else?

MR. BELL: Are they going to ask you about F and
G? (Laughter)

304

- 12 H.M.JR: You fellows can be excused, and Gamble,

Bell, and I will stay and settle that thing right now.
Get the thing back to me as soon as you can; then

after press conference I would like to see you and Mr.

Wanders again.

(Mr. Kuhn, Mr. Schwarz, and Mr. Wanders left the

conference.)

MR. GAMBLE: There is one suggestion I would like

to make to you that I got while sitting here. It strikes

me that they are likely not to get the impression that

this is a big drive, that they are likely to get the

impression that you are doing all these things because
you may be fearful that whatever your drive is going

to amount to that it is not going to succeed. In other

words, you have not laid enough stress on the fact that

this is a big job.

H.M.JR: They don't want me to.
MR. GAMBLE: I don't mean as to money.

H.M.JR: Not as to publicity, either.
MR. GAMBLE : I mean, in this press conference
impress on these people that this is an unprecedented
job without any reference to the amount of money that

you are going to raise - whether it is eight billion,

ten billion, or fifteen billion. As to the size of

the undertaking, you are not going to give the amount.

H.M.JR: Simply say that this is the biggest job

we have undertaken?

MR. GAMBLE: It says, "expanded," but "expanded"

is not descriptive enough of the size of the job. You
tell them that you are forming all these committees,
asking for all this help, and it would be unfortunate-H.M.JR: Use the word "unprecedented" instead of
"expanded."

305

- 13 MR. GAMBLE: Yes, I think it would be unfortunate

if we were doing all these things - if we were afraid
of the drive - but rather because it is an unprecedented
job.

H.M.JR: I think he is right.
MR. BELL: Is it unprecedented? I suppose it is.

H.M.JR: Sure. They will ask if it is to be

bigger than the six billion eight you had in October.
The answer is "Yes."
MR. GAMBLE: They get all the story, but they don't
get the picture of what you are going to do, and they

will start saying, What is this?"

H.M.JR: You see, unprecedented - this is Hollywood,
colossal, stupendous. (Laughter)
MR. GAMBLE: I am the most conservative fellow.

H.M.JR: You don't want me to use the word "colossal"?

"Unprecedented," that'is all right.
MR. BELL: It is unprecedented, because you are

putting two months in one, but dividing it into two
it wouldn't be as big as the October.

MR. GAMBLE: It would be unfortunate if they got
the impression you were building all these fences through

fear of failure of doing this job because of the last

program.

MR. BELL: It is a real effort to sell securities
outside of the banking system.

MR. GAMBLE: You should get full credit for it;
that is my point.
(The Secretary held a telephone conversation with

Mr. Kuhn and Mr. Wanders.)

306

- 14 -

H.M.JR: I like this fellow; he thinks independently. I said that it would scare the pants off them,
and he says, "Maybe it is a good idea. "

MRS. KLOTZ: He is fresh in the Treasury yet.

(Laughter)

H.M.J JR: Do you know what I have in mind - there

won't be enough to do, because we won't be doing this would be to send him out the way I used to send Gene

Duffield to the field. Wherever there was trouble I

would send him as a reporter just to sit down and say,

"What is the matter here?" Remember when Duffield used

to do that? I could use him on that very well.
Is Graves in today?
MR. GAMBLE: He was not in at nine today.

H.M.JR: Any other suggestion?

MR. GAMBLE: No, sir. that is all.
H.M.JR: What I am trying to get over in the story is

that we are having a well-rounded program, and we are

going to go after this thing, and this is going to be
a continued thing, this is not going to be just for
once.

MR. BELL: This is the beginning - beginning of

the end.

(Mr. Odegard entered the conference.)

H.M.JR: Peter, it was suggested that when I got
ready to make up my mind about this F and G you would

like to sit in. I asked for Harold, but he is not here.
Now, I have given this thing very careful thought,

and unless there is some argument which I am not familiar

with, I would like to announce at this ten-thirty press
conference that effective December 31, the War Savings

Staff will stop selling F and G bonds and the Victory

307

- 15 Fund Committee will pick up from there on.
MR. BELL: December 31?

H.M.JR: I meant November 20.
MR. ODEGARD: Oh, could I make one suggestion,

that before announcing this to the press would it be

possible for us to make it known to our staff? I

think it might be a rather - something of a shock to
them again, throw them into a state of uncertainty if
they read about this in the newspapers before they have
any intimation of it from Washington.
MR. GAMBLE: I don't think it should ever be
announced to the press. I don't think it accomplishes

anything. I think it only tends to confuse the public,
the Treasury jumping here and jumping there.

H.M.JR: The public won't be confused, only the

people working--

MR. GAMBLE: And the people - there is nothing to

be gained by it, in my opinion, to announce it to the

press. I talked to Ferdie about that phase of it. I
thought when we reached that point we could simply

advise our people that it is going to be done, and
advise the Victory Fund people that it has been done.
H.M.JR: You can't keep it out of the press.
MR. BELL: There really has not been much in the
press about F and G.
MR. ODEGARD: Would there be any objection to

holding up - if it is going to be given to the press to holding up any formal announcement? I am really
concerned about it, because the last time we had this
same thing happen it was a very serious blow to our
organization. Our quotas are made up.

308

- 16 -

H.M.JR: I can answer you just like this - I

don't have to announce it this morning.
MR. ODEGARD: That would be fine.

MR. GAMBLE: We are completely reconciled.

H.M.JR: I mean, I can tell you right off the
bat that I don't have to announce it at ten-thirty.
MR. ODEGARD: That would be the first question.

H.M.JR: I would not have to announce this thing
as long as the orders go out that this thing is going
to happen. You would stop that drive in New York so
as not to muddy the waters there.

MR. BELL: I think that is what is worrying

everybody; they are going ahead with this drive.

MR. GAMBLE: We are waiting for this word to call

it off.

H.M.JR: Let's say on this one that the telegrams

go out; and as long as it is a dirty job, I am willing
to sign it. I mean, that is up to Harold, but I am
willing to sign the telegram.
MR. GAMBLE: I think we ought to do a selling job
on our people. They will be good sports about it and
approach it in a positive way.
H.M.JR: What you said last night gave me a grand
feeling; "Whatever you decide, we are with you." That

is what I like, because it is part of the Treasury family,
and I have not arrived at this thing lightly. I am also
conscious that you men - one of the best selling jobs

was done by Thomas on why I should not do it-MR. ODEGARD: You saw Thomas yesterday?

H.M.JR: He did one of the best jobs - why I
should not do it. Now, you fellows can have - what is

today, Thursday? You can have - is one day enough I mean, as to what should go out tonight? We won't say

a

309

- 17 anything about it before Monday.
MR. ODEGARD: That would be fine.

MR. GAMBLE: I think we should study it very
carefully for a number of reasons.

H.M.JR: I want two things in the telegram. I.
want, one, to let them go on, but no drives. I don't
want these ten thousand men in New York to start.

MR. GAMBLE: You see, we are relinquishing the
responsibility for these bonds on December 1, which auto-

matically calls it off.

H.M.JR: It is like that. I want what was in
that telegram that you showed me, plus a second paragraph.

MR. GAMBLE: I understand.

H.M.JR: I don't want the waters muddied.
MR. GAMBLE: They will not be muddied; you need

have no concern about that. We are just as much concerned about the right thing being done as anyone
else.

H.M.JR: If you will show me a telegram any time

during the day, I think I ought to sign it and take it
off. Harold, so it shows it is my decision.
On. the other hand, he may not want to have it
seem as though he were over-ruled.
MR. GAMBLE: He may want to be the man to sell
his own people.

H.M.JR: It may look as though I am over-ruling

Harold. If he signs it, it is immaterial to me, but

I want to do it the way that leaves the best possible
aftertaste.

310

- 18 MR. ODEGARD: Is there going to be any change in

the nature of these securities?

H.M.JR: Of the F and G? In the first place, I
Savings," the over-print, off the F and G - that is

promised Gamble that we would strike the words "War

number
one - so they wouldn't be selling a war savings
bond.
MR. BELL: It would be a savings bond, however.
MR. ODEGARD: A registered security?
MR. BELL: Yes.

MR. ODEGARD: The F bond will continue--

H.M.JR: What we are studying - George Haas is
studying this, and I asked him whether we should con-

tinue selling it; and his answer to me was, "Let's
see how this tap thing goes. If it goes very well,

then we may drop them entirely. If
MR. GAMBLE: Both of them?

H.M.JR: Both of them.
-

MR. ODEGARD: I know almost nothing about this

whole negotiation, Mr. Secretary, and I am inclined to

think, just coming in cold - all I know is that there

have been negotiations--

H.M.JR: Gamble and Kuhn - Kuhn sat in at every
meeting on that thing.

MR. ODEGARD: It is not their fault that I haven't
heard, because I have been away a good deal.

H.M.JR: Kuhn sat in at every single meeting I
discussed it, and Gamble sat in at almost every meeting.

But Kuhn was present at every meeting, and his job was to
keep the War Savings Staff informed. So if you have

not been informed, Peter, it is not my fault, because
I have been scrupulously careful.

311

- 19 -

a

MR. ODEGARD: I realize that. I have been away
good deal, too. I don't t want to open any discussion.

Just offhand I do not feel good about it.

H.M.JR: I did not expect that you would. I would.
be disappointed if you did feel good.
MR. ODEGARD: I talked with people in New York

when I went up to the Academy of Political Science
dinner. I was surrounded by some people, and the
nature of their arguments was this, that the War Savings
Staff is a magnificent selling organization and the War
Savings Staff ought to have something really that it

could sell; that it ought not to be limited to this

kind of a registered bond, that we ought to have a
bearer bond in the nature of the Liberty bond, which
they could sell in unlimited amounts. They said,
"You are ham-strung in selling these bonds, because if
a fellow wants to get his money out of them he has to
wait sixty days." If I gathered from that conversation

that what a good many of these people want, and want
very much - and I know nothing about the negotiations they want a security in which they can trade, they want
a security in which they can make some money. That is

a perfectly legitimate goal, a perfectly legitimate
objective if it is explicit and understood.

I think there are serious questions that have been
bruited about, which I know nothing of directly, concerning compensation of security dealers for the sale of
these securities. We have an organization of about
three hundred thousand people, many of them the best

people in the United States, giving their time, free,
using their own tires, their own gasoline. They have
never asked for any compensation.

H.M.JR: But you have nine hundred people on the

pay roll at the cost of a million dollars a month.

MR. ODEGARD: Yes, that is true. We have got about
nine hundred people on the pay roll, and by comparison

312

- 20 with any other operation in the Government, it is
negligible.

H.M.JR: But even - I mean, to give a true position,
there are nine hundred people on the pay roll.
MR. ODEGARD: That is right, but there are approximately
three hundred thousand people.

H.M.JR: Peter, if it will make you feel any better,
go ahead. I have been on this thing now for four or five

days; and believe me, Gamble, Kuhn, and Thomas have done
a good job.

MR. ODEGARD: I have no doubt that they have. I
just came cold and discovered that this decision had been
made, a decision which I think should have involved, as
I have no doubt it has involved, consideration of the

nature of the securities we are selling. It would be
wise to kick the ceilings off a security. If you want
to sell thirteen billion dollars worth of bonds through
the War Savings Staff, I think we could give you assurance, Mr. Secretary, that we could sell them if you
kicked the ceiling off these bonds and gave us a bearer

bond to sell to the people of the country. The fact that

the Victory Fund Committee will be able to sell these
bonds will be unimpressive to me if they have a security
which has an open market, a free market. But those are
things that have bothered me. I assume they are resolved.

H.M.JR: Here is the point, to be fair to me. I
have taken during the last five days the greatest care

I have ever taken on anything, to have War Savings Bonds
informed on every step.

Now, I can't go through the whole thing all over
again.

MR. ODEGARD: I won't ask you to.

H.M.JR: I have torn myself inside out on this
thing to do what is the best thing for the Treasury,

313

- 21 -

I think. The fact that they have not informed you

step by step - but my conscience was never clearer.
I am sorry, because Kuhn was in at every single meeting
at which this thing was discussed; and whenever it came
up that it in any possible way affected the War Savings,
Gamble was here. [.have seen more of Gamble in the
last five days than in the last two months, which was
pleasant for me.
MR. ODEGARD: There is just one footnote. I gather

in discussing this with people - just incidently, because
I have been in on the discussions of it - that there is
a tendency to think of the tremendous job of financing and I don't think anyone is more concerned about that
than we are in the War Savings Staff - and to represent
the position of the War Savings Staff as being rather,

if not negligible, at least a very minor thing. Out of
fifteen billion dollars of financing the War Savings
Staff accounts for, at most, a billion and a half or a

billion eight of that - it looks very small. I really

don't think that that is a fair representation, and that

is the representation that I know has been made, because
it has been made to me by people who have been in touch

with the Victory Fund people.

I think that it is just going to be a shock to

our people when our quotas, having been made up to
include F and G bonds, are taken away, when for the

first time since the organization has been established,

we have been encouraged to sell F and G bonds. You see,
we have never made any effort really, Dan, as you know,

to sell F and G bonds.

H.M.JR: Maybe if you had made the effort earlier
I would not have to make this decision now.
MR. ODEGARD: That may be.

H.M.JR: They have been going since May 1, 1941.

Don't forget, Peter - well, I don towant to--

314

- 22 MR. ODEGARD: I am sorry.

H.M.JR: I don't want to lower your - I mean, I
think I got Gamble in a good frame of mind. I think
I got Kuhn in a good frame of mine. They have got to
do a job on you. I thought they were doing it hourly.
MR. GAMBLE: I talked to Peter on the long-distance
phone, but he has not been here.
H.M.JR: Where have you been?

MR. ODEGARD: I was with the Advertising Council
yesterday and with Mr. Murray and Mr. Baker on our
radio programs, and I met with some of the national

advertisers who are trying to induce - to carry on
this nation-wide advertising campaign in our behalf.
I was in New York all day yesterday.

H.M.JR: But weren't you here Monday or Tuesday?
MR. ODEGARD: I was here Monday, but I went up
to New York Tuesday noon.

H.M.JR: Well, as I say to you, as one salesman

to another, we will have to get these other fellows -

you are very low.

MR. ODEGARD: I am not very low.

H.M.JR: He has seen his low and he is coming up
again. I mean, Ted has seen his low mark and he has
rebounded. (Laughter)
MR. ODEGARD: I can't be low with the news in the
papers these days.

H.M.JR: As I say, if I got in an argument I might

say things which would make you feel even worse, so I

315

- 23 -

don't think - don't think that in any way that I

deprecate what the War Savings Staff is doing. After

all, they are doing the most difficult job of all, that

is, the mass selling. They are doing the Woolworth job,

which is the most difficult job, to get the ten cents,
the quarters, and the dollars; and as far as I am concerned, I think we carry the bat on the publicity, on
the morale end on this thing. We have been in the
forefront now ever since we have started.

I know that the President and Hopkins and Early and

all over at the White House feel that we absolutely led

the procession, which is something we may never get
thanks for; but in our hearts we know that we have made

a great contribution from the time - so for all of that

which the people have assisted me in from the beginning,
I am deeply grateful. I know we have made a contribution,
and for a long time we were the only people. OCD went
through that whole mess, and then came the mess with
the Librarian - what is his name, MacLeish?

After all, it is only a month ago that the

Assistant Secretary of the Navy got up and said we were
losing the war. So I mean, we have gone all through
that, and ours has been a steady pressure to the good.
You can't measure that in dollars. You can't measure

that in quotas, and that has been a magnificent job.
I expect you people to continue that steady pressure
along those lines. Then we will come along with a
heavier security, heavier in the sense of size, with
another group, and I hope in that they will do as good
a job as War Savings did. If I just measured this

thing in dollars - I said right at the beginning that

I weighed the thing sixty-six and two-thirds on

propaganda and one-third on money. Do you remember

that? And I still do; I have not changed.

But now I have got to raise some money, and the question

is, how can I raise it the quickest and the easiest, and
I think - I may be wrong - I have been wrong before -

that this decision I am making is the way to do it.

316

- 24 MR. ODEGARD: I think it is not only the quickest
and easiest, but also the best way not to jeopardize
the price structure any more than is necessary.
H.M.JR: I mean, we have had a lot of people in

on it. I think that that is the quickest and easiest
way and also with the price structure as it is.
Now, we used the word "unprecedented" and I kidded

him - Hollywoodish, but it is all right. (Laughter)
MR. ODEGARD: Colossal.

H.M.JR: That is what we said, but he said "unprecedented." And it is unprecedented, just like this
armada which they sent to North Africa, and there has
never been anything like it in the whole history of
the world. No Secretary ever tried to finance twentyfive nations. How many nations are there in the
United Nations?

MR. ODEGARD: About twenty-five.

H.M.JR: About twenty-five. We keep adding here

and there.

So, Peter, please don't go away feeling that War
Savings has not been a success. I say it has been a
great success, measured by the yardstick I gave
originally, two-thirds on propaganda and one-third on
money, and I have no complaint.
MR. BELL: Mr. Secretary, I think Peter has maybe
heard my remark that I made to you when I was urging you

to give consideration to this drive when he said that

some statements have been made belittling the efforts

of the War Savings Staff. I think I made the statement
that you were spending a great deal of time and effort

and money on twenty percent of your financing problem,
and that I thought it was time that we were spending

317

- 25 more time and effort on our eighty percent, because if
we didn't do as good a job on the eighty percent, then
there was not any sense in doing anything on the twenty,
because it wouldn't have any effect on the over-all

picture. I didn't mean that to in any way belittle the
efforts of the War Savings Staff. I am just as proud
of what you (Odegard) have done as you are. I think

you have done a grand job.

MR. ODEGARD: Dan, I never heard you make that

statement.

MR. BELL: I made it, and I think it has gotten
around. I, feel that way about it; but at the same
time I don t think they ought to lessen the efforts of
the War Savings Staff if this other goes and is a success.
Your subsequent remarks about selling other types

of securities and keeping this organization going brings
up the further question that maybe sometime along the
road you ought to merge them and just have one organization.

H.M.JR: Don' t--

MR. BELL: I mean, it brings the question up.
MR. ODEGARD: It does very definitely.
MR. BELL: And two other points made about the F
and G's - I have been very much impressed by Bathrick's
and Thomas's arguments on the War Savings Staff, and
the organization they have gotten together, and the
enthusiasm; and your subsequent remarks that you would

give consideration to eliminating F and G from the

picture entirely. I would not at this time transfer
permanently to the Victory Fund Committee the F and G's,
if you have that in mind. I think it might look bad
to announce now that you are going to transfer the
sale of F and G's to the Victory Fund Committee and
then on December 25 say that we are going to eliminate

them. I think it looks as though both organizations
have failed to sell F and G's.

318

- 26 H.M.JR: That is a good point.
MR. BELL: If you could just say to these people,
"Withhold your drive and do nothing with F and G while
this other drive is on, maybe in two weeks we will
have made a decision on the whole thing. Maybe you

will want to raise series E to ten thousand to give
them more latitude.

H.M.JR: I will raise it. But the telegram has to

go out, and I think if Harold decides he wants to send
it, then a part of the telegram should be for me saying

just what I said to Peter.

MR. ODEGARD: I think that would help.

H.M.JR: If Graves wants it, then there should be

a separate statement.

(Mr. Kuhn reentered the conference and handed a
paper listing the members of the Sales Advisory Committee

to the Secretary, copy attached.)

H.M. JR: You know, they never asked me whether I

liked this at all, but they just went ahead and did it.
MR. KUHN: I hope to goodness there is nothing
against any of those babies, the sales managers who are
coming in.

H.M.JR: I think we had better just say that I

asked Mr. Grant to form a committee.

MR. KUHN: I think it would be safer, because
don't you want to check each one of these people?

H.M.JR: Yes. Mr. Kittinger, vice president of
Shell Oil - I don't know what he might be. I think
we will have to wait.
MR. KUHN: You could say that you are forming a

committee representative of leading industries.

319

- 27 -

H.M.JR: That is all right. What we said here
was this, that I would not say anything on the record
about F and G's. If they asked it off the record, I

might say something, but that will give the War Savings
Bond people all day to draft a telegram to go out and
then give them at least headway over the week end.

MR. KUHN: I think it would be too bad to do this
thing to them abruptly, especially New York, Philadelphia,
and Chicago. It ought to be done personally.
H.M.JR: Well, I am giving them from now until
Monday.

MR. GAMBLE: In the light of Mr. Bell's statement,
do you want to possibly say nothing about taking the
sale of F and G's away?

H.M.JR: No. With all due respect to Mr. Bell,
I want this thing cleaned up; it has got to be. I

can't stand this wrangling in the Treasury family any

longer. No, I don't think you meant that, did you,
Dan?

MR. BELL: Yes, I meant that. I meant take it
away for this drive, and I think we have to test this
other organization.

H.M.JR: You mean take it away as of November 30?

MR. BELL: I would let this Victory Fund Commitee
sell F and G's along with every other security they are

going to sell, and I would call off this drive of the

Savings Staff, and then maybe in ten days after that
you will have made a decision on the whole thing, and
then call them all together on January 1.
H.M.JR: No, I am sorry I can't go with you on

that. I want to do things - I want to stop the drives

for the balance of this month. I mean, any extra drive.

320

- 28 MR. GAMBLE: This is F and G's now?

H.M.JR: Only F and G's. I want to stop the drive
just the way the telegram is written, plus as of the
30th I want to transfer the sale to the Victory Fund.
MR. BELL: You want to say that Monday?

H.M.JR: No, the telegrams are going out from War
Savings headquarters today to the forty-eight State
chairmen saying that.
MR. BELL: I didn't know you were saying the second

thing in the telegram. I just thought you were stopping

the drive.

H.M.JR: No, no, I want this thing clean-cut.
MR. ODEGARD: I think it ought to be clear on that.
H.M.JR: What we say publicly we will put aside

until Monday.

MR. ODEGARD: My thought was in line with what Dan

/

was saying, that the less publicity there was, general

publicity, on this, the better.

H.M.JR: There may not be any publicity. Let's

see what happens when your telegram goes out. I don't
have another press conference until Monday afternoon.

I don't think George Buffington necessarily - I mean
there won't be anything said to the Victory Fund Com-

mittee between now and Monday.

MR. GAMBLE: They have said that they didn't want

any publicity on it.

H.M.JR: Then this telegram only goes to your
people.

321

- 29 -

MR. KUHN: I don't think that is right. They

do want an announcement.

MR. GAMBLE: They went so far as to say that they
were not even going to mention that they had F and G's

for sale in the promotion of their material. I don't

think we ought to stick the War Savings Staff down in
the gutter and step on them just because of this

movement.

H.M.JR: There is no intention.
MR. GAMBLE: No, I understand.

H.M.JR: I think Odegard's coming in made a very
good contribution, namely, you have all day to get out
the telegram - it will go out sometime during the day -

one from me - maybe one from Graves, too - then we will

see the reaction. Now, talk to the other people. What

I am trying to find out is - I don't think there is any

need for publicity.

MR. GAMBLE: That is right, and they don't, and
the bonds don't. Let me give you a reason why the
bonds shouldn't. This matter on the budget - you
know, we have a budget that we are operating under
which includes the sale of E, F, and G bonds. They

get to writing stories in the paper about you splitting

up this program and switching the sale of one bond to

some other department of the Government or the Federal
Reserve - we have a budget pending now before the
Bureau.

MR. ODEGARD: And we are having trouble with it.

MR. GAMBLE: We are having difficulty with it,
and we also have money left yet to spend in the next

seven months that is supposed to be spent to promote

the sale of these securities.

H.M.JR: That is the best argument yet.

322

- 30 MR. KUHN: Mr. Bathrick is calling his whole group

together for next Wednesday.

H.M.JR: Not until Wednesday?
MR. KUHN: No.

323

Secretary Morgenthan issued the following statement today:

Borrowing by the Treasury to meet the rising costs
of the war will be resumed on an expanded scale on
November 30th. Victory Fund Committees, which have been

active in promoting the sale of Treasury securities other
than War Savings Bends, will be asked to conduct a widened

campaign for the enlistment of idle funds in the war
effort. The Committees already have done excellent work

in behalf of Treasury financing and they will be given

full authority to conduct a drive for further funds.
In addition to conducting a campaign on "Tap" bonds,
the Victory Fund Committees will be asked to promote

purchases by corporate and other taxpayers of series A
and C tax savings notes. Such notes ease the taxpaying
problems of the purchasers and at the same time assist

the current position of the Treasury.
Since only a portion of the necessary funds will be
raised through sales of Government securities to the

public, it is the intention of the Treasury likewise to
offer one or more series of open market securities for
subscription by banks and others.
Treasury issues already available, and those to be
announced for limited periods within the next few weeks,

2.

324

will be suitable for every class and type of investor, from
the largest commercial banks, corporations and insurance

companies to the smallest individual investor or wage earner.
The War Savings Staff will remain continually active
in sales of War Savings Bonds. In particular, the War

Savings Staff will intensify its Payroll Savings drive
in November and December, with the aim of raising the

present figure of 23,000,000 workers now investing an

average of 8 per cent of their pay to a figure of at
least 30,000,000 workers setting aside an average of

at least 10 per cent of their earnings every pay day.
War borrowing must be done to the greatest possible

extent out of current income and savings of the people.

This is the soundest means of financing the war deficit.

325

The following will serve with Mr. R. H. Grant of General

Motors Corporation on the Sales Advisory Committee in
connection with the December financing:

John Sohumann, Jr., President of the General Motors
Acceptance Corporation.

Terry Kittinger, Vice President of Shell Oil Company.
W. S. Howard, Vice President of R. H. Macy & Co.

R. S. Wilson, Vice President of Goodyear Tire and
Rubber Company, Inc.

P. M. Bratten, General Sales Manager of the Frigidaire
Division of General Motors.

D. U. Bathrick, Vice President of Pontiac Division
of General Motors.

326
November 12, 1942
9:43 a.m.
HMJr:

Hello.

HMJr:

Mr. Kuhn and Mr. Wanders.
Hello.

Operator:

Go ahead.

HMJr:

Gentlemen.

Operator:

Ferdinand
Kuhn:

Yes.

George
Wanders:

Yes, sir.

HMJr:

Ted Gamble has made a very good comment. He

said he feels that after listening to this
all, that this is just doing something, 80 we
hope that this next one won't fail.
K:

Yeah.

HMJr:

And, therefore, he suggested instead of saying
"on an expanded scale, if we use the word on an
"unprecedented" scale - to show that this thing
is bigger than anything that's ever been undertaken by the Treasury.

W:

That it would add zing to it?

HMJr

He thinks so and I agree with him - unprece-

dented scale. I told him we didn't know

whether we wanted to go Hollywood and say

"colossal".

K:

(Laughs) I didn't....

W:

(Laughs)

K:

I don't want to scare the pants off them by

any such announcement when you don't mention

figures.

HMJr:

Well, they'11 say to me, "Will it be bigger
than the six billion eight in October?" and
the answer is "Yes."

327 .

-2K:

Uh huh.

HMJr:

I don't think it will scare the pants off them.

K:

Uh huh.

W:

Well, maybe it would be good to scare the pants off
them.

HMJr:

Well, I - I don't know about that, but I think that

V:

Uh huh.

HMJr:

See?

W:

Uh huh.

HMJr:

What do you think, Wanders?

W:

I think it's a good idea, Mr. Morgenthau.

Gamble is right that - that nowhere through this
publicity does it show that the thing we are taking
on will be the biggest job ever undertaken by any
Treasury in the world.

HMJr:

Let's do it.

W:

Uh huh.

HMJr:

Let's do it.

K:

We'll put that change in.

HMJr:

Right.

W:

Yeah.

K:

All right.

328
November 12, 1942
11:25 a.m.

FINANCING

Present: Mr. Bell

Mr. Viner
Mr. Stewart

Mr. Haas
Mr. Brown

Mr. Potter
Mr. Steele
Mr. Wood
Mr. Hemingway

Mr. Wiggins

Mr. Stonier

MR. HEMINGWAY: Mr. Secretary, our committee has

been in session and given careful thought to this subject, and in order that we might present our views in
a concise way, and present to you our thoughts in the
best possible way, we have made a written memorandum.

With your permission I will read it, and I will give
you a copy to follow as I read it. I will leave that

with you. (Memorandum by Mr. Hemingway, dated November

12, 1942, handed to the Secretary.)

This is a memorandum of a statement made to the
Honorable Henry Morgenthau by W. L. Hemingway, President of the American Bankers Association, November 12,
1942, at Washington, D.C.
"Mr. Hemingway stated that he had appointed a committee consisting of the gentlemen named below to consider what the American Bankers Association could do to

cooperate with the Treasury in the distribution of

Government securities. Acting upon the recommendation
of this committee, Mr. Hemingway stated:

"(1) That the American Bankers Association is in
full accord with the view expressed by the Treasury on

329

-2numerous occasions that Government securities should
be sold so far as possible outside of commercial banks.

In addition to its support of the sale of War Savings
Bonds, it will start immediately an intensive campaign
to obtain an all-out effort on the part of its members
in aiding the several Victory Fund Committees to distribute all Government issues offered in the future.
"(2) That the American Bankers Association will use

its best efforts to induce its members to invest their
surplus funds, (which in the case of member banks are
their excess reserves) in some types of Government

securities. What maturities--

H.M.JR: Would you mind, just for the public, to

say, "--induce its member banks"?

MR. HEMINGWAY : We left the banks out because this

is the American Bankers Association, and they are all
banks - all members of banks.

H.M.JR: All right.
MR. HEMINGWAY: (Continuing) "What maturities are

to be held by any individual bank should be determined
by its management in the light of many factors, such as

the character of assets, liability to deposit fluctua-

tions, the probability of loan demands, and the ratio
of capital accounts to total assets. While no general

formula applicable to all banks can be worked out, they

should recognize it to be their duty to invest their
surplus funds in Government securities.

"As to future Government issues for which banks are
asked to subscribe, each bank should recognize its obli-

gation, in common with all other banks of the country,
to subscribe to those issues as offered, in some general

relationship to the size of the bank. This will insure
the success of such offerings. It should be realized

that when a particular issue is one which is deemed
unsuited as a permanent holding by any bank, it may
properly dispose of such holdings in the market.

330

-3"The committee feels and believes that in the event
the full use of excess reserves is not enough to absorb
the offerings of the Treasury that member banks should
not hesitate to borrow for the purpose of creating
additional reserves.
"The committee feels that at the present time a
satisfactory quota for every bank cannot be worked out,
but a campaign to emphasize the responsibility of all
banks to subscribe should first be undertaken.
Then follow the names of the members of this
committee and we would like to have Mr. Strickland

join us. He is due here at one-thirty, today, and we
will add his name if he approves of this statement.

H.M.JR: I take it, if I have any suggestions,

I am free to make them, am I not?

MR. HEMINGWAY: Yes, indeed. I would like to

follow this for a moment with the verbal statement that

if it is your wish that we do this, we would like to,
first, send out a letter from the president of the
association to its members, followed up by a booklet

setting forth this thing in language that you would use
to persuade people into a program. You have seen some

of the booklets we have put out to our members. And
then it would be our purpose to have a number of meetings
over the country, generally, whereby we would carry this
message by word-of-mouth, which after all, is the most
effective way to do any selling campaign.
We believe that we can get started on that very

quickly. Our staff members who participate in this

matter are here, and we would like to develop from you
just how we should proceed. That is, whom we should

contact in the Treasury on this sort of a thing, and

who would have charge of representing you.

H.M.JR: I think the person who would represent me

would be Mr. Bell, on this, if that is agreeable.

331

-4MR. BELL: All right.
H.M.JR: And then the suggestion I would like to
make on advertising, so we have it all coordinated,
there is this group that is known as the Advertising
Council, which is working on all - practically all
Government promotion. There is Miller McClintock
who is the head of it, and they have asked a Mr.
Harold Thomas, who is vice-chairman of the committee,

to particularly devote his time to the Treasury; so

they know every piece of promotional matter thatwe are

getting out, and are working with us. What they do is,
they have a whole group of advertising agents. They

do this all free - they don't charge anything. Once
I think they gave us nineteen different copy writers,
who went to work to turn out some work. I mean, it is
a "labor of love" with them. But just to keep the
thing coordinated, if you would be willing-MR. HEMINGWAY: There is no objection to that, is
there? We have already been in contact with that group.
H.M.JR: Do you know McClintock?
MR. HEMINGWAY: Yes.

H.M.JR: He is a very excellent and high-class man.

So that everything is in tune that goes out.
MR. STONIER: Yes.

H.M.JR: Do you know him?
MR. STONIER: Yes.

H.M. JR: That would help, and then with Bell-MR. HEMINGWAY: We will work that out, all right.

H.M. JR: I am just throwing this out as a suggestion for somebody to help - you might use Delano.

332

-5MR. BELL: He might be a good man on the bank

liaison. I would use Buffington as a man between the

ABA and the Victory Fund Committees.

H.M.JR: But I mean, if you needed-MR. BELL: I can use Delano, too, on this.
H.M.JR: I don't know how busy he is. He has
asked several times to help.
Now, do you want an O.K. on this right away, or
is this something-MR. HEMINGWAY: We are just filing with you a
statement of what we think we can do, Mr. Secretary.

H.M.JR: I mean, there are certain things in here -

do you want me to raise them now? Supposing I-MR. HEMINGWAY: Yes.

H.M.JR: Supposing I read this over once more. We
will have to do our homework out loud, so if you people
have anything - there was something here.
I have nothing in paragraph one. Have you got
anything?

MR. BELL: No.

MR. HEMINGWAY: Mr. Secretary, we did not intend

to use this as a press release. We are not going to
give that out to the press.

H.M.JR: I still would like to look at it. I
thought this was a press release.
MR. HEMINGWAY: No, no.

H.M.JR: There was one thing that would bother me

for the press. Did you forget to ask Eccles?

333

6-

MR. BELL: No, I asked him to come.

H.M.JR: This thing on the top of Page 3 bothered

me a little bit. I know why it is in there. "It

should be realized that when a particular issue is one

which is deemed unsuited as a permanent holding by any

bank, it may properly dispose of such holdings in the

market."

MR. HEMINGWAY: I will ask Mr. Brown of our committee
to answer that.

H.M.JR: Do you feel that is necessary? Do you

feel there is any restriction on you?

MR. BROWN: I think that we covered, in the earlier
part of the statement, that every bank ought to keep
all its idle funds - we used the words "surplus funds"
because we didn't like the connotation of "Idle" - but
of surplus funds invested in some form of Government

security. We wanted to keep all our money at work for
the war effort, but if the Treasury should put out a
ten-year bond for banks, as might be the case of our
bank or a great many other banks, we felt that in order
to make the issue a success we should subscribe to it.
In our case on the two and a half percent issue, we felt

the relation with the liability of our deposits, the
rapid fluctuation, the ratio of our capital assets to
our total assets, that we ought to have much shorter

stuff. We think that we, or any other bank, ought to be

in the position to sell that security in the market.

Now the inference would be to the extent that we
had any surplus funds that were not in use through loans
or some other way, to further the war effort we would
invest it in some other form of Governmental security.

If it should later and this is aside from the
picture - become necessary for the Treasury to assign

definite quotas for securities to banks, with instructions that they had to take so much, it is unthinkable to
me that any such securities would have a maturity of
over a year.

334

-7That is what was done in the last war when certificates
were put out. It is what is done in England and Canada.
If it is very desirable that some banks should and could
buy ten-year bonds or five-year bonds or six-year bonds

in very much larger amounts than they have now got some country banks, particularly, whose deposits are
relatively stable, who have not been affected by the
vicinity of war camps or some other form of Governmental
activity, should have higher coupon and longer bonds,
but you have got to waive to the management of each

bank, what type of security he is going to hold in his

portfolio, subject to the general limitations that it

should keep invested in some form of Government securities,

right up to the hilt.
H.M.JR: I just raise the--

MR. BROWN: I am sorry, but I think that Mr. Viner
and Mr. Stewart and Danny will bear out, that when you
stepped out of the room, that Marriner Eccles, yesterday,
expressed that same point of view quite forcibly.
H.M.JR: Eccles? Which way?

MR. HAAS: Full utilization of excess reserves.
MR. BROWN: Yes, but that you could not say that

a bank had to take certain definite maturities which

might not fit their book at all.
H.M.JR: Well, it is one thing to write it to me,
and another thing is the public statement.

MR. BROWN: We have no idea of giving it to the

public in that form.

MR. VINER: I think that a bank has to have freedom

arrange its portfolio - its various holdings to suit
its needs, but I do think that, certainly, if this is
to

ever going to the public - and I don't see why it should
not - the reference to maturities in that statement--

335

-8MR. HEMINGWAY: Mr. Secretary, I would like to

make this statement, now, that our committee felt that
they ought not to mislead you in any way. We ought to
put the facts before you as we believe them to be what we can do. We realized that that was one of the
things that would immediately be brought up. We

believe, for the present, that that is as far as we can

go in the matter.

MR. VINER: Would it be satisfactory to you if
that sentence read, "It should be realized"-H.M.JR: Where is that?
MR. VINER: At the top of Page 3.

It reads: "It should be realized that when a particular issue is one which"- because of maturity - "is

deemed unsuited as a permanent holding by any bank" -

otherwise there is a suggestion that a Treasury security
may be unsuitable for holding.
MR. HEMINGWAY : We discussed that for about a half

an hour last night, and we decided that it was best not
to put that in because there might be some other factors
that would enter into it. For example, a bank might be

in a community where some plant was withdrawn, we will
say, or something of that kind, where the deposits would
go down, money would go out, and so forth; so they would

feel free to dispose of their offerings promptly,

although they would come in and help the underwriting.

MR. VINER: Then that would not apply to a particular

issue.

MR. BELL: This might be a case where a bank has,
say, a great many more securities than they want on a

particular maturity date. We put another security right
on top of that and said, "I got more in my portfolio

than I ought to have of that particular maturity. I
will take it to underwrite it, but I would like to get
one back at six months or a year.

336

-9MR. VINER: That is still a maturity consideration.
MR. HEMINGWAY: We thought that the management of

the bank would insist, today, that the right should be
left with them to determine whether or not this parti-

cularly suited their portfolio.

MR. VINER: I think it should be recommended that

each particular bank should feel free to carry out its

obligations of arranging the amount and the distribution
of its holdings in accordance with its special needs.
I do not like to see "deem unsuited". That wording,
issued to the public, might mean that you were appraising the Government securities, rather than appraising

their suitability for the bank in its special circumstance.

MR. BROWN: When I drafted this first section, I
had the words "because of maturity" in. Some of the
others pointed out that you might take a bank with
perfectly stable deposits in a rural community, with
relatively high expenses; it might be offered, say, one

year's certificates at seven-eighths. It just could

not live on that rate, and there would be no reason why
it should not have a bigger rate and a much longer
maturity.

In case of a big city bank, it is short maturity

which is, generally speaking, wanted; and in the case
of the country banks where their deposits are stable,
it would be quite proper for them to be longer maturity

and higher rates. And there was the feeling of the

other members of the committee - correct me if they do
not agree with me - to put in a limitation "because of
maturity" would not take care of the case of the small
country bank with stable deposits, which numerically
compose a majority of the American Bankers Association -

not the total deposits. It was for that reason that the
words "because of maturity" were left out.

MR. VINER: How about "does not fit the needs of the

special position of the bank"? It is just the word

"unsuited

337

- 10 MR. BROWN: Yes, that would be agreeable to me.
MR. HEMINGWAY: The drafters of that statement are

both here, Mr. Potter and Mr. Brown.

MR. POTTER: Personally, I do not see any reason
why we should not adopt your first suggestion, "deemed
unsuited because of maturity."
MR. VINER: Yes, but then you accept Mr. Brown's
point that there may be banks who want a longer maturity
because the security in question may be unsuitable to

them because its interest rate is too low.

MR. POTTER: That is all right, but as a matter of
fact, the interest rates and the maturities are tied
together. So far as I am personally concerned, I do

not see any reason why we should not adopt your suggestion.

MR. VINER: Except that I think this-H.M.JR: Now that you have adopted Viner's change

in position-- (Laughter)
MR. VINER: I won't let you do it. I think the

ordinary reader will think that has in mind the t the
maturity is too long. That would be the ordinary

interpretation of it.

MR. BELL: The other suggestion is broader.
MR. BROWN: I think Mr. Viner's second suggestion

is better.

MR. STEELE: All right, if you have come around to

our way of thinking, let's agree. (Laughter)

MR. BROWN: So that when a particular issue does

not meet the needs of banks as a permanent holding it
may not--

338

- 11 MR. BELL: "Does not fit the needs or special
situation as a permanent holding"--

MR. VINER: That is right.
MR. WOOD: Fit the needs of what?

MR. VINER: A special situation. That latter will

take care of a bank which is losing deposits.

H.M.JR: Is that all right, Mr. Potter?
MR. POTTER: Absolutely.

MR. STEELE: Fitathe needs "of" special situations?

MR. BELL: "Or" special situations.
MR. POTTER: I think the main consideration is
that we understand each other, Mr. Secretary.

H.M.JR: I do. Words are not important.
MR. HEMINGWAY: But we have in our committee, Mr.

Secretary, a number of English scholars, and they wanted

these words in there exactly right. (Laughter)

H.M.JR: Let me see if my visiting economists have
any other suggestions.
MR. STEWART: Distinguishing between part one and

part two - in part one I see no reason why it should not

be made a public statement. I see some advantages in
having it made a public statement. You are announcing
a campaign; you have got a volunteer organization - the

American Bankers. If it were added to that, either in

your statement as chairman of the Victory Fund Committee,
or in their own statement, the way in which they propose

to be of specific help - if they mean to organize within

the Federal Reserve districts, or what they mean to do -

I think after a visit like this there is something to be

said for a public statement being issued and

339

- 12 -

confining it to this first volunteer statement.
MR. BELL: Did you know that the Secretary gave
out to the press this morning the fact that they are
here and going to help?

MR. STEWART: If this is a resolution, it is rather
well phrased; either they, as a committee, or you,

as Secretary, might get whatever advantage comes.

MR. POTTER: Why shouldn't he take this statement
and make any statement based on it that he likes?

H.M.JR: If you don't mind, Mr. Potter, I have
made mine. I think you will be perfectly satisfied
with what I have said; I hope you will. If something is
coming, it would be perfectly logical for the ABA to
give out a formal statement.
MR. HEMINGWAY : We will have to do that because

they have been on our trail.
MR, STONIER:

Here is a statement, if I may read

it, Mr. Secretary, we are thinking of giving out: "At a
conference with the Secretary of the Treasury here, to-

day, a committee of bankers discussed ways and means

by which the nation's banks might further the effort

of the Treasury to sell Government securities through
such activities as those of the Victory Fund Committees

in the various States.

"The Committee felt that the country's best interests
would be served if the greatest possible volume of Government securities could be sold to investors other than
banks, and offered the services of the Association to
that end. The group indicated that the banks will continue to press the sale of War Savings Bonds, and stated
that in addition, the ABA will undertake a campaign
designed to enlist the active support of all l'its members
in the work of the Victory Fund Committees of the various

States in their efforts to increase distribution of

Government securities to the public." And then follows
the names of those who were present.

340

- 13 -

H.M.JR: It sounds good. The only thing is I don't

think you give yourselves enough credit for the work

you have already done with the War Savings Committees.

think you are too modest. I mean, I know the great
expense that the banks have been put to--

I

MR. STONIER: Well, we were thinking that what
they would be interested in was what we are doing here,

now.

H.M.JR: All right. It sounds O.K. to me. That would

be going out--

MR. STEWART: That meets everything I had in mind.

On part two, Mr. Secretary, I would like to regard that
as entirely confidential to you; and I should say that
at this stage it was preferable not to have it discussed

among member banks that there had been a meeting with the

Secretary, and that there had been a discussion which

reached any conclusion. I would like to have it from

both sides.

Personally, I am in agreement with this statement,

as you know. I think it is cautious, and I think it

ought to be cautious, and my own personal view is that
you cannot get a formula which will apply to all member

banks, and it is not clear to me yet that it is necessary
to adopt quotas for individual banks. But I think it

is uncertain, looking ahead, what we may have to do
before we are through with this.

I think, therefore, that there is an advantage not

only in treating this as a confidential report to the

Secretary, but treating it as confidential anyway, because once this rumor comes out that they may be re-

quired on some quota, their volunteer services will

diminishquickly. I would take out the possibility of

that chill by saying it is a report to you; if your
staff is to work on it, they can report to you; it is
quite possible that the staff might like to get in touch

with some members of the committee again.

341

- 14 H.M.JR: As far as the Treasury is concerned,
there will be no leaks here.
MR. POTTER: We feel that this particular memorandum is a confidential memorandum between us and you.

H.M.JR: It will be so considered.
MR. POTTER: We had no intention of giving it to

the press.

H.M.JR: Good.

MR. POTTER: The press is 80 alert - you never can

tell how it gets things, but it is our intention to keep
quiet about it.
H.M.JR: If we are going to work together we have

got to gain confidence; if you say something is confi-

dential, it has to be confidential.

MR. STONIER: That is our release to the press that

I just read you.

H.M.JR: If there is nothing else on that I have
something which I think is important that I would like

to raise.

Now, beginning with Monday, we will decide - we

will have to decide, which securities we are going to

offer first, and I would like the benefit of the advice

of all or part of this committee when we make this
decision as to which one will come first and what the
security will be. I do not know whether you gentlemen
had envisaged that as part of your responsibility or
not, but if you have not, I wish you would consider
that.

MR. HEMINGWAY: We had not, up to this time, Mr.

I feel sure that the committee glad

to render it can - give you

Secretary.
any assistance
would would
the want benefit be to
of their judgment.
I imagine
that they

retire and talk it over among themselves.

342

- 15 -

H.M.JR: Talk it over. What I would like is to
have somebody from the ABA, from this group, to be here
Monday and Tuesday to sit with Bell and me as we make

up our minds what we are going to do first.
MR. BELL: Yes, and I would like them to go over

it before that.

H.M.JR: Then maybe they could do it today. I
would like very much, also, to have them go over this
proposed resolution that we are going to put before
the State bankers.

MR. POTTER: Before whom?

MR. BELL: The State Bank Commissioners.

H.M.JR: Do they come in on that?

MR. BELL: They might like to know about it.

H.M.JR: My attitude towards them is this is a
committee in a confidential relationship. I am going

to take you into my complete confidence. Now, today
and tomorrow we have got to make up our minds. We are
trying to get together the Federal Reserve, the FDIC,

and the Comptroller's office to make a joint statement, and we will try to get a resolution through these
State Banking Commissioners. I would like the benefit
of the advice of you people. Take a look at it. Then
Monday and Tuesday I have got to make up my mind what

I am going to do first, beginning with November 30,
and if possible I would like some of you men here.
MR. BELL: I think we have a number of questions
that-MR. VINER: On the examining, Mr. Secretary, I do

not think that would be according to the protocol.
I think the examining authorities should not first

have released to the people they are going to examine,

343

- 16 -

what they are going to decide upon. I think you might
find the Comptroller getting in your hair on that.
H.M.JR: He would have a hard job. (Laughter)
Are you going ethical on me? Do you think he is

right?

MR. STEWART: It had not occurred to me.
MR. BELL: We have got a number of questions on

it, anyhow, before we pass on it.

H.M.JR: I had better call up Chief Justice Stone and
ask him to pass on the ethics of this thing. (Laughter)
MR. STONIER: Is it the subject matter on the bond

situation that you are going to present to these men in

Philadelphia?

MR. BELL: It is on the whole situation. We are
trying to get coordination between the banking commissioners.
MR. STONIER: We have a committee working wi th the

various agencies here on matters, but that is on reports
and forms, and so forth. What I was asking, to make

it clear in our own minds, is just what the subject
matter was - whether this is the group--

MR. BELL: I do not think you ought to have their

curiosity raised. I think you ought to tell them one
of the main questions is the ratio of capital to deposits.
MR. HEMINGWAY : We have no committee on that.

MR. POTTER: Mr. Secretary, you realize, I suppose,

that we do not know what it is that you are going to offer.
MR. BELL: That is the purpose of our meeting today,

to tell them, I take it.

344

- 17 -

H.M.JR: Couldn't you go into Mr. Bell's office
and have a preliminary talk right on that, now? Then
I will appoint a committee on ethics to see whether we
should or should not. I never thought of that - maybe
Viner is right.
MR. VINER: They ought to know if you are going

to do it.

H.M.JR: I have told them we are going to do it,
but I could, right now - we have got written down what

we are thinking of. It is all here.

MR. POTTER: Don't you think perhaps, Mr. Secretary,

that you will have such a lot of advice about the selling
of these bonds - these securities - that I would feel,

perhaps, that this committee couldn't add very much
and might muddy the waters. We are here to act after

you tell us what - after we are told what the job is.

I think it might befuddle us a little bit, and I don't

think you would get an awful lot of help out of us that
you won't get from men who are right on the job, like
your Victory Fund Committees. Those men have really got
to take the lead and be out in front.
H.M.JR: Anyway, I wanted to at least tell you every-

thing I have in my mind today. I have not worked enough
with you to know just how far you fellows wanted to go,

but from the little talk I had with Mr. Hemingway, I thought
that if I was going to meet with this group, this would
be the group of bankers that I met with, rather than having about a half a dozen groups.

MR. HEMINGWAY: If that is your desire, I think we
can shape this committee so that it would accomplish that,
also, perhaps by adding one or two men to the committee.

H.M. JR: Talk it over. It would be easier for me
if it was going to be one group. Now, maybe Mr. Potter
is right; maybe you people should be on the sales and

promotion end. But it would be easier for me if - let's
say a committee broadened by a couple of fellows to do

345

- 18 -

the market, so at least when I meet with you, or talk
with part of you or all of you, I want you to know what
I am going to do in the Government bond market. I
might be moving so fast I might overlook you, and
talk with the wrong committee - I don't know.
MR. HEMINGWAY: We will talk it over and give you
our judgment on it.

H.M.JR: But I certainly want to talk with some

group of bankers on Monday and Tuesday, before I start
in on this new bi-monthly campai gn. Couldn't you

possibly go into Mr. Bell's office and continue this

conversation? Let me say, for the first meeting we have
had, I am very much pleased. I think it has been a good
meeting and very helpful to me and very encouraging.

346

A MEMORANDUM OF A STATEMENT MADE TO THE
HONORABLE HENRY MORGENTHAU BY MR. W. L. HEMINGWAY,
PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION,

NOVEMBER 12, 1942, AT WASHINGTON, D. C.

Mr. Hemingway stated that he had appointed a com-

mittee consisting of the gentlemen named below to consider
what the American Bankers Association could do to cooperate

with the Treasury in the distribution of Government securities.
Acting upon the recommendation of this committee, Mr. Hemingway
stated:

(1) That the American Bankers Association is in full
accord with the view expressed by the Treasury on numerous

occasions that Government securities should be sold so far as

possible outside of commercial banks. In addition to its support
of the sale of War Savings Bonds, it will start immediately an intensive campaign to obtain an all-out effort on the part of its members
in aiding the several Victory Fund Committees to distribute all
Government issues offered in the future.

347

-2-

(2) That the America Bankers Association will use

its best efforts to induce its members to invest their surplus
funds, (which in the case of member banks are their excess
reserves) in some types of Government securities. 'I What matur-

ities are to be held by any individual bank should be determined
by its management in the light of many factors, such as the

character of assets, liability to deposit fluctuations, the probability of loan demands, and the ratio of capital accounts to
total assets. While no general formula applicable to all banks
can be worked out, they should recognize it to be their duty to
invest their surplus funds in Government securities.
As to future Government issues for which banks are

asked to subscribe, each bank should recognize its obligation, in
common with all other banks of the country, to subscribe to
those issues as offered, in some general relationship to the
size of the bank. This will insure the success of such

348

-3- -

offerings. It should be realized that when a particular issue
is one which is deemed unsuited as a permanent holding by any

bank, it may properly dispose of such holdings in the market.
The committee feels and believes that in the event
the full use of excess reserves is not enough to absorb the
offerings of the Treasury that member banks should not hesitate

to borrow for the purpose of creating additional reserves.
The committee feels that at the present time a satisfactory quota for every bank cannot be worked out, but a cam-

paign to emphasize the responsibility of all banks to subscribe
should first be undertaken.
The members of the committee are:

Edward E. Brown, President First National Bank,

Chicago, Illinois
William C. Potter, Chairman of the Executive
Committee Guaranty Trust Company, New York, N.Y.

Thomas M. Steele, President First National Bank
and Trust Company, New Haven, Connecticut
W. H. Wood, President American Trust Company,

Charlotte, North Carolina
W. L. Hemingway, President American Bankers
Association and President Mercantile-Commerce

Bank and Trust Company, St. Louis, Missouri

-4- -

A. L. M. Wiggins, Vice President
American Bankers Association and

President Bank of Hartsville,
Hartsville, South Carolina
Harold Stonier, Executive Manager
American Bankers Association

22 East 40th Street, New York, N. Y.

349

350

Members of the Committees

Mound a. Brown, President Pirst National

Chicago, Illinois

william e. Poster, of the Insecutive

Centities - trust Googney, New York, N. L.
Thouse M. stock. President First National Beak
and trust Company, New Naven, Connections

W. M. Need, President American trust Company,

Charlette, North Carolina

W. I Maning President American Bankoys

Association and President
Beak and threet Company. so. Louis, Miscount
A. 200 M. Wagins, Vice President
American Induse Association and
President Bank of Marteville,
Marteville, South Caroline
Marald staples, Insection Manager
American Benhare Association

as Bast 40th Street, New York, E. Y.
Member of Commisses but not present

Robert a. Strickland, President
trust Geograph of Georgia

attents, Beorgia.

11-12-42
351

Secretary Morgenthau issued the following statement today:

Borrowing by the Treasury to meet the rising costs
of the war will be resumed on an expanded scale on
November 30th. Victory Fund Committees, which have been

active in promoting the sale of Treasury securities other
than War Savings Bonds, will be asked to conduct a widened

campaign for the enlistment of idle funds in the war
effort. The Committees already have done excellent work

in behalf of Treasury financing and they will be given

full authority to conduct a drive for further funds.
In addition to conducting a campaign on "Tap" bonds,
the Victory Fund Committees will be asked to promote

purchases by corporate and other taxpayers of series A
and C tax savings notes. Such notes ease the taxpaying
add to
problems of the purchasers and at the same time assist

cash balance

n

the current^ position of the Treasury.
Since only a portion of the necessary funds will be
raised through sales of Government securities to the

public, it is the intention of the Treasury likewise to
offer one or more series of open market securities for
subscription by banks and others.
Treasury issues already available, and those to be
announced for limited periods within the next few weeks,

352
2.

will be suitable for every class and type of investor, from
the largest commercial banks, corporations and insurance

companies to the smallest individual investor or wage earner.
The War Savings Staff will remain continually active

in sales of War Savings Bonds. In particular, the War

Savings Staff will intensify its Payroll Savings drive
in November and December, with the aim of raising the

present figure of 23,000,000 workers now investing an

average of 8 per cent of their pay to a figure of at
least 30,000,000 workers setting aside an average of

at least 10 per cent of their earnings every pay day.
War borrowing must be done to the greatest possible

extent out of current income and savings of the people.

This is the soundest means of financing the war deficit.

353
TREASURY DEPARTMENT

Washington

Press Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE,

No. 34-6

Thursday, November 12, 1942.

Secretary Morgenthau today issued the following statement:

Borrowing by the Treasury to meet the rising costs of the

war will be resumed on an unprecedented scale on November 30.
Victory Fund Committees, which have been active in promoting

the sale of Treasury securities other than War Savings Bonds,
will be asked to conduct a widened campaign for the enlistment
of idle funds in the war effort. The Committees already have
done excellent work in behalf of Treasury financing and they

will be given full authority to conduct a drive for further
funds.

In addition to conducting a campaign on "tap" bonds, the
Victory Fund Committees will be asked to promote purchases by
corporate and other taxpayers of series A and C tax savings
notes. Such notes ease the taxpaying problems of the purchasers
and at the same time add to the current cash balances of the
Treasury.

Since sales of "tap" issues, War Savings Bonds and Tax

Savings Notes will not provide all of the necessary funds, it
is the intention of the Treasury likewise to offer one or more
series of open market securities for subscription by banks and
others.

Treasury issues already available, and those to be announced

for limited periods within the next few weeks, will be suitable
for every class and type of investor, from the largest commer-

cial banks, corporations and insurance companies to the smallest
individual investor or wage earner.

The War Savings Staff will remain continually active in
sales of War Savings Bonds. In particular, the War Savings Staff
will intensify its Payroll Savings drive in November and December, with the aim of raising the present figure of 23,000,000
workers now investing an average of 8 per cent of their pay to
a figure of at least 30,000,000 workers setting aside an average
of at least 10 per cent of their earnings every pay day.
War borrowing must be done to the greatest possible extent
out of current income and savings of the people. This is the
soundest means of financing the war deficit.
-000-

Copies to D.W Bellt
FANDARD FORM No. 14

FROM

APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT
MARCH 10. 1926

TELEGRAM

confirmation 11/1>1,354

BUREAU

CHG. APPROPRIATION

EXPERSES OF LOANS

OFFICIAL BUSINESS-GOVERNMENT RATES

Nov. 12, 1942

10-1738

(To Attached List of State Administrators)
Since our Kansas City Meeting, the Treasury has reviewed its entire
financing program. This program involves the borrowing of unprecedented

billions of dollars within the next few months. To raise this money
in 80 far as possible outside the banking system the Victory Fund
Committees are being expanded. These committees will have responsibility

for promoting the sale of all Treasury securities with the exception of
War Savings Bends. In view of the investment features of F and 0 Bonds

coupled with the fact that they are a demand security finding an outlet

largely in the financial markets, it is the Secretary's decision that the
Treasury will no longer actively promote the sale of these two Bonds and

that they shall, effective December 1, no longer be identified as War
Bonds but shall be placed in the portfolio of Government issues offered
(sometime-to-time) by the Victory Fund Committee. Effective December 1

the term War Savings Bonds will be restricted to Series E for which the

War Savings Staff will have exclusive responsibility. You are therefore
requested to cease any promotional activities involving Series F and G

Bonds after November 30. This decision will in no my affect our plans
for an intensive campaign on payroll satings and other E Bond promotir

State war bond quotas will be revised in the light of this change.
Harold N. Graves

F.B. A.

11-17 H2
355

a. assit victing Fund

& assit in sale to
the of gn. Securite to BK

2. asked

adv. annual
miller me Clin tock
Liacm between Canal

+ Treas.

3. asked mr. R.S. grant
general motors

to from advisory
council of not. Sabe-

mangers

O.W. 1. will assist
( over)

356

Federal Reserve Brand

and 12 Presidents

who are charman of
our Victing Fund am.
Mr. Eceles is taking a
great personal interest

11-12-12
357

Members of the Committee:

Edward E. Brown, President First National Bank,

Chicago, Illinois

William C. Potter, Chairman of the Executive
Committee Guaranty Trust Company, New York, N.Y.

Thomas M. Steele, President First National Bank

and Trust Company, New Haven, Connecticut

W. H. Wood, President American Trust Company,

Charlotte, North Carolina

W. L. Hemingway, President American Bankers
Association and President Mercantile-Commerce

Bank and Trust Company, St. Louis, Missouri

A. L. M. Wiggins, Vice President
American Bankers Association and

President Bank of Hartsville,
Hartsville, South Carolina
Harold Stonier, Executive Manager
American Bankers Association

22 East 40th Street, New York, N. Y.

Member of Committee but not present

Robert S. Strickland, President
Trust Company of Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT

358

INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION
DATE

TO

FROM

November 12, 1942

Secretary Morgenthau

Ferdinand Kuhn, Jr.

The Sales Advisory Council will have as its chairman:
R. H. Grant, Vice President of General Motors.
The members who have so far agreed to serve are the
following:
John Schuman, President of the General Motors
Acceptance Corporation.

Terry Kittinger, Vice President of Shell Oil.
W. S. Howard, Vice President of R.H. Macy & Co.

R. S. Wilson, Vice President of Goodyear Tire and
Rubber Company, Inc.

P. M. Bratten, General Sales Manager of the
Frigidaire Division of General Motors.

D. U. Bathrick, Vice President of Pontiac Division
of General Motors.

You asked for the exact titles of two men from the Advertising
Council. They are:

Miller McClintock, Executive Director of the
Advertising Council.

Harold Thomas, Vice Chairman of the Advertising
Council.

359
November 12, 1942
12:55 p.m.
HMJr:

Harry

White:

I told Pehle to get in touch with you. He
showed me a list of things that are being held
up for North Africa.
Yeah, he did, and I found out - I talked to Milo
Perkins this morning. He told me that they
thought they were going ahead and had some authority
but that last night - or yesterday when Hull found
out that they were going ahead, he had gone to the
President and the thing is stopped and in the air
now.

HMJr:

Well, that's what I told Pehle to tell

W:

Yeah, he

you. Now look, wait a minute, will you?

HMJr:

Why not check through Customs and our own people?

There may be stuff already bought and scheduled

W:

for Africa we're holding up that might go.
Well, that's the sort of thing Pehle had.

HMJr:

Yeah.

W:

You mean - do you - things that we're holding up
as Treasury?

HMJr:
W:

Yeah.

I'll find out.

HMJr:

I mean if they are scheduled for Morocco and that

W:

Well.

HMJr:

That's the purpose of my call.

W:

I'll find out if there's anything of that

stuff, why the hell not let 'em go?

character. Or either way I'11 let you know.

HMJr:

And advise me.

360

-2W:

I'll do that.

HMJr:

Thank you.

W:

All right, sir.

HMJr:

Hello?

W:

Hello.

HMJr:
W:

HMJr:
W:

Bring with you a copy of that memo tonight.
What time tonight

Eight-thirty.
did you specify? Eight-thirty?

HMJr:

Use a Treasury car.

W:

Fine.

Thank you. (Laughs)

Copy to Mr. Bell.

361

November 12, 1942

4:00 p.m.

Mr. Kuhn, Mr. Buffington, Mr. Bathrick, and Mrs. Klotz
met with the Secretary.
The Secretary inquired as to how much steam Mr. Bathrick,

plus the Advertising Council, would be able to put behind
this drive between now and Monday. Mr. Bathrick replied

that everything which was being done for the moment he was
doing because no one else was here, and he said he doubted
that very much could be done between now and next Wednesday

when the meeting will be held. Mr. Bathrick said all of
the men are out of town and it will be impossible to get
them here before that time, but that he would try to supply
them with as much of the background as possible.

Mr. Morgenthau then asked whether it wouldn't be possible for the Advertising Council to have something by
Wednesday, and Mr. Kuhn said that he would call either
Thomas or Guy Lemmon right away.

The Secretary, on adjourning the meeting, told Mr. Kuhn
he would like to have him do two things when he got back to

his office: (1) Call up the Advertising Council and ask

them to submit some plan or layout by next Tuesday - in the
hopes that we would probably receive it by Wednesday; and (2)
contact OWI and see what they can do for us.

In regard to using the "direct by mail" method, HM Jr

suggested that the best man for this would be Harry Sherman
of the Book-of-the-Month Club.

The men approved the Secretary's suggestion that after
the plans and material are prepared, they should be sent to
the 12 Federal Reserve Districts for their guidance and
distribution. through the Victory Fund Committees.
The Secretary also agreed to open the Wednesday meeting.

362

November 12, 1942

Dear Mrs. Reid:

I am writing to ask whether you would lend

me the services of Mr. George Wanders on a leave

of absence basis, from now until the and of this
year, to help me in connection with the war financing
operations of the Treasury.
I make this request to you not only because
I have been impressed with Mr. Wanders' grasp of
our Treasury problems, but also because he is so
well equipped to assist me with the work I have in

mind.

The war financing program during these last

weeks of the year will be gigantic, and I feel it
will be a real service to the country to let us use

Mr. Wanders' services. I shall appreciate very much
whatever you can do to release him temporarily. Could
you let me know as soon as possible?

Sincerely,
(Signed) H. Morgenthau, #:

Mrs. Helen Rogers Reid,
New York Herald-Tribune,
230 West 41st Street,
New York, New York.
FK/cgk

Sent "Air Mail" by

Mese. Simmons to B.F.Sta.
11/13/42

CC in Diary
Copies to Thompson

362

November 12, 1942

Dear Mrs. Reid:

I am writing to ask whether you would lend

me the services of Mr. George Wanders on a leave

of absence basis, from now until the end of this
year, to help me in connection with the war financing
operations of the Treasury.
I make this request to you not only because
I have been impressed with Mr. Wanders' grasp of
our Treasury problems, but also because he is so
well equipped to assist me with the work I have in

mind.

The war financing program during these last

weeks of the year will be gigantic, and I feel it
will be a real service to the country to let us use

Mr. Wanders' services. I shall appreciate very much
whatever you can do to release him temporarily. Could
you let me know as soon as possible?

Sincerely,
(Signed) H. Morgenthau, #:

Mrs. Helen Rogers Reid,
New York Herald-Tribune,
230 West 41st Street,
New York, New York.
FK/egk

Sent "Air Mail" by

Mese. Simmons to B.F.Sta.
11/13/42

CC in Diary
Copies to Thompson

363
November 12, 1942
3:56 p.m.
HMJr:

Hello.

Operator:

Judge
Patterson is busy talking. I'm waiting for
him.

HMJr:

Thank you.

Operator: Right.
3:57 p.m.
HMJr:

Robert

Hello.

Patterson:

Hello, Henry?

HMJr:

Bob?

P:

Yeah.

HMJr:

Harry White says you want to see me about Sweden?

P:

Yeah. (Laughs) Do you know much about it?

HMJr:

Not a damn thing.

P:

It comes up in the Board of Economic Warfare.

HMJr:

oh.

P:

Same old game.

HMJr:

Do you want to see me today?

P:

Yeah, I - could If

HMJr:
P:

HMJr:

Sure, always, it's a pleasure.
I've got to go to New York pretty soon, but I
could come right over now if you'd let me.
You come over now and I'11 see you.

P:

Thank you.

HMJr:

When will that be?

-2P:

Ten minutes.

HMJr:

Ten minutes.

P:

Yeah.

HMJr:

Right. Thank you.

P:

Thank you.

364

365

November 12, 1942

4:50 p.m.

FINANCING

Present: Mr. Bell

Mr. Stewart

Mr. Haas

Mr. Viner

H.M.JR: Mr. Bell is against it. Starting left

to right--

MR. STEWART: I am "agin" it.

MR. HAAS: I am against it, at this time.
MR. STEWART: Not knowing exactly what it is-H.M.JR: About going up before these State banking commissioners and giving them a--

MR. HAAS: That is what I thought you were talking

about.

H.M.JR: Are you "agin" it?
MR. HAAS: I would be against it now.
H.M.JR: Viner?

MR. VINER: I am for it.- probably not now, but I
think it will have to be done. The timing - probably
this is not the time.
H.M.JR: Come on, no "probably" or "maybe" - yes

or no?

MR. VINER: Well, I am for the statement to be made

before very long. Dan said that he did not think it
ought to be made just before an issue. I think there is

366

-2a lot in that, but then, I would be perfectly happy, now,

I think, if it were made after the issue.

H.M.JR: Will you see Mr. Bell, and will you tell

me when there will be a time, for the next two years,
when it won't be before an issue?

MR. BELL: Well, I mean immediately before an issue.

H.M.JR: It is two weeks before an issue.
MR. BELL: No, we are discussing the issues that are
coming out on November 30. Now, if we close these issues

on December 20, then this might come out December 31, as

a year-end statement, but I do not think it ought to be

tied into the fiscal end, at this time. I may change.
H.M.JR: "Alms for the love of Allah!" (Laughter)

MR. BELL: I agree with Walter that we ought to
give a little more consideration to it, when we have

not got so many other things on our minds.

H.M.J JR: I am in no condition to take on any fights.

You don't think it will impede the success of this financing?
MR. STEWART: Not of this financing.

MR. VINER: Wait a minute. Did you get that question?
H.M.JR: Impede the success of this financing?

MR. BELL: I think that is right.
MR. STEWART: There are two billion-dollar items of
banking money of types which do not require this sort of
move to make it successful.

H.M.JR: O.K. That is that.
Now, if we haven't worn you out, could you come
down again next week around Tuesday?

367

-3MR. STEWART: I would be hesitant to, as a matter

of fact, unless you feel - I would rather come the
following week.

H.M.JR: It is not necessary.
MR. STEWART: All right, I will come Tuesday.

H.M.JR: Let's leave it, if you don't mind, that
you will send me a telegram the middle of the week.
MR. STEWART: You will either hear from me Monday

or I will be here Tuesday.

H.M.JR: I thought you did not want to be here then.
MR. STEWART: I mean, if there is no need for me the
following week, and there is some this next week, I
will undertake to come on Tuesday of next week.

H.M.JR: All right.
MR. STEWART: Let's leave it that if I do not wire
you on Monday, I will be here Tuesday.
H.M.JR: How about you?

MR. VINER: I would like not to come next week for
I have a program and also my boy is leaving for the
Coast Guard next Wednesday or Thursday, and I want to

be there to say goodbye. But the week after, if you

want me--

H.M.JR: Why not say you will come the week after?
MR. VINER: I will come, then; on Wednesday of the
week after.
H.M.JR: Do you teach Monday and Tuesday?

MR. VINER: I teach Tuesday, and therefore there is
no use being here Monday.

368

-4H.M.JR: The day you teach is Tuesday?
MR.

VINER: That is right. I teach; I have my

office hours for my students; and I have committee
meetings. Everything is on Tuesday, so if I leave on
Tuesday I am really losing a whole week of my work,
for which they are paying me.
H.M.JR: Then a week from Wednesday.
MR. VINER: A week from next Wednesday.

V

369

Mr. Morgenthau, Sr. , phoned today to

that the Secretary's sister, Ruth, had

eard a broadcast saying HM,Jr was 11 and

ot at the office.

370

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
INTER-OFFICE COMMUNICATION
DATE

TO

FROM

November 12, 1942.

Secretary Morgenthau
Mr. Sohwarz

c

None of the national or regional networks
used the radio story reported to you yesterday afternoon
from New York. After a careful of the Washington stations,
I had Radio Reports, Inc., make a discreet canvass of
fifteen stations in New York. They reported back that
one small local station in New York had been broadcasting
some gossip items supplied by Danton Walker of the New

York Daily News. I had noticed in the morning that
Walker was here for the day yesterday and contacted him

yesterday evening and saw the correction he sent up to
New York.

371

A

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON
SAVINGS STAFF

November 12, 1941

TO: The Secretary of the Treasury
FROM: James L. Houghteling

I have not been able to identify Leonard Hanson who signed

the attached telegram to the President of the United States, but I
have learned the following facts about the subject matter thereof.

There are three labor unions which have membership among
the clorical employees of New York Stock Exchange member firms:

1. The American Federation of Office Employees (A.F.of L.).
This organisation has recently had a labor dispute with the brokerage
firm of J. S. Bache & Co., over which the War Labor Board has taken

jurisdiction. Edward Flaherty, A.F.of L. organiser, states that this
matter is moving satisfactorily and no trouble is foreseen.

2. The Bank and Brokerage Employees Union (C.I.O.). Lloyd

Herbert, president, reports that this union is not at present involved
in any labor disputes.

3. The Stock Exchange Floor Clerks Association. This is an
independent union of from 400 to 500 members. It has no office or
designated place of business. David Keefe is reported to be president.
This organisation has recently been dissatisfied and has presented its
grievances to the officers of the New York Stock Exchange. Emil Schram,
President of the Stock Exchange, is out of New York until next Monday
but his secretary reports that this matter is being handled in an
orderly manner and that no controversy involving bitterness or trouble
is expected. The A.F.Of L. and C.I.O. officials interviewed seemed
less optimistic but did not think that this independent labor organisation could make very much trouble.
Against this background it is my judgment that Mr. Hanson's

telegram is the action of an individual crank.

PORDEFENSE

BUY
UNITED

STATES

372

Mr. Houghteling -

The Secretary would like to have
you let him know what this is about.

Rec'd Norlo

4PM
Klephaned
theyork
Mans
m Na

373
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON

November 9, 1942

MEMORANDUM FOR

THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY

For your information.

F. D. R.
Enclosure

374
The White house
Washington

WB2 130 NL
NOV 3 7 50 AM 1942

NEWYORK NY NOV 2 1942
FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT
THE WHITE HOUSE

YOU ARE COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE AMERICAN FORCES OF AMERICA

IN THIS WAR LIKEWISE YOU ARE CHIEF TO PROTECT 80 MILLION
INVESTORS OF STOCK AND BONDS ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE A CRASH OF

THE MARKET IS COMING DUE TO THE STUBBORNNESS OF THE OFFICIALS
TO RECOGNIZE THE EMPLOYEES UNION ON THEIR DEMAND FOR

RECOGNITION OF THEIR UNION AND SENIORITY RIGHTS OF THE
EMPLOYEES THE ONLY TWO THINGS THE UNION ASK OF THEM IF

A STRIKE IS CALLED YOUR IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION AND TAKING OVER
CONTROL

375

WB2/2

OF BUSINESS NECESSARY OR YOU ARE GOING TO SEE A RUNAWAY

MARKET THAT WILL BE WORSE THAN THE CRASH OF 1929 WE
FEEL THAT YOU DO NOT WANT SUCH A CRASH DURING OUR FIGHT
FOR DEMOCRACY AND NEITHER WILL THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA

LIKE IT
LEONARD HANSON.

date

PRENTISS M. BROWN

376

STATE OF MICHIGAN

United States Senate
WASHINGTON D.C.

November 12, 1942

Dear Mr. Secretary:
I want you to know how much I

appreciate your offer of yesterday.

As I stated, I am taking a little

time off for a rest and contemplation and will advise you on or
about December 1. I feel that I

must canvass my situation thorough-

ly before making a final decision.
Sincerely yours,

Printer Mn rown
Honorable Henry Morgenthau, Jr.

Secretary of the Treasury
Washington, D. C.

November 12, 1942

377

Draft of ltr for the President's signature,
to The President by Secret Service Agent
at 12:30 pm.

378

My dear Prentise:
Henry Morgenthen, Jr., has spoken to me

about his desire to have you take a post in the

Treasury Department, where he needs you for inportant work.

I hope you will accept the invitation of the
Secretary of the Treasury. I also need you and I

have no doubt that if you accept Secretary Morgenthan

will be able to spare you on occasions so that I can
have the benefit of your advice and assistance.
I recall the grand work you have done during
your years in the Senate in forwarding legislation
that was urgently needed and especially your wise
decisions and unflagging seal with respect to all
measures connected with the efficient prosecution
of the war.
We shall continue to need you in Washington,

and in the Treasury Department you will be well

located for effective service.

Sincerely,

The Honorable Prentiss Brown,

United States Senate.

V

379
HAROLD K. HOCHSCHILD
SIXTY-ONE BROADWAY
NEW YORK

November 12,1942

Honorable Henry Morgenthau,

Secretary of the Treasury,

Washington, D. C.
Dear Henry:

As I told you over the telephone this
morning, I was enabled through your introduction
to General Strong to complete yesterday all steps
involved in the filing of my application for a
commission in the Military Intelligence Service.

It is now in the mill, and I can only hope for

luck in overcoming obstacles, including age and

eyesight.

If I am not accepted now, there is a
chance that I may be taken later on, so I shall
not give up trying. This is the kind of thing
that I've wanted to do from the start. The
reasons were stated in my letter to you of June
22, 1940, eighteen months before we entered the

war, as it was already then clear we would. My
decision was really made then, and it was only

the intervention of various things, particularly

my marriage and the coming of the baby, that

postponed my going ahead. When Mary and I be-

came engaged I told her what I wanted to doin
the war, and she has been very nice about it.

So were you on Tuesday.

Although I was thus obliged to decline
the position you had in mind for me, the fact
that you offered it to me is the greatest compliment I have ever had. Mr. Stewart told me
of the high respect and warm affection in which

you are held by the whole Treasury Department.

Knowing you as I do, I was not surprised. It

makes me feel all the more grateful and honored
at your expression of confidence in me, and I

shall never forget it.

Sincerely,

Harold

380

NOV 12 1942

Dear Mr. MacLeish

This will asknowledge receipt of your letter of

November 2, 1942, quoting from the Assistant Solicitor
General's further opinion concerning certain income
which has accreed from the endoment made by the Carnegie

Corporation of New York for the Chair of Fine Arts in the

Library of Congress.

Despite the conclusions of the Assistant Selicitor
General, my reading of the files in the Hegemen matter
indicates that there was a defect in the terms of the

gift as well as a defect in the statutory authority of

the Board. The defect in the gin was cured in that case

by obtaining Miss Negeman's approval and the defect in

authority by obtaining necessary legislation.
However that may be, I - agregable in the present
case to the authorization proposed in your letter of
September 19, 1942.

Sincerely yours,
(Signed) H. Morgenthau, Jr.

Secretary of the Treasury.

Hon. Archibald MaeLaish

The Librarian of Congress and Secretary of
the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board
The Library of Congress
Washington, D. C.

File to Thompson

Photo file in Diary
NOT:
11-9-42

THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS
WASHINGTON

November 2, 1942

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I am referring to your letter of October 6, 1942 replying to

my letter of September 19, 1942, concerning certain income which has accrued from the endowment made by the Carnegie Corporation of New York

for the Chair of Fine Arts in the Library of Congress.

I have asked the Assistant Solicitor General for his opinion on
the point raised in my letter and I am now in receipt of the following
reply:

"It would be possible to go to Congress instead of to a court
for authority to apply the excess income of the Carnegie Chair of
Fine Arts fund to related objects. The donor's approval alone
would not suffice.
"The Hegeman matter, to which the Secretary of the Treasury

refers, did involve 8 different question. The terms of the Hege-

man gift permitted the Library's Trust Fund Board to make the
contemplated disposition of funds; the Board, however, lacked statutory authority to make that disposition. The Attorney General
did suggest that the Board obtain the donor's approval. He also
said--and the Secretary seems to have overlooked this--that enabling legislation was necessary.

"In the present case, the defect of authority is in the deed
of gift, not in a statute. The usual procedure would be to invoke
the judicial cy pres power of 8 court of equity. But the Congress
has a 'prerogative' oy pres power, applicable to charitable trusts
in the District of Columbia and the territories, similar to that
exercised by the Crown in England. See Bogert on Trusts (2d ed.)
p. 299; Mormon Church V. United States, 136 U.S. 1. This power has
rarely been exercised; never, BO far as I can discover, in such a
case as this. But I am sure that an act of Congress solving the
problem for you would be valid. Moreover, if the donor and the
trustees concurred, no one would have a sufficient interest to chal-

lenge the statute in court.
"If the Trust Fund Board prefers Congress to a court, I shall
be glad to help draft the needed legislation."

You will note that the Assistant Solicitor General holds that it
will be possible to go to Congress instead of to the courts for authority

aretary of the Treasury.

-2-

to make application of the excess income.

In view of the position as the Assistant Solicitor General states
it, would you now wish to approve the authorization contained in my letter
of September 19, or do you feel that further discussion would be desirable,
or that some alternative action should be taken?
Faithfully yours,

member

Archibald MacLeish

The Librarian of Congress

The Honorable
Henry Morgenthau

The Secretary of the Treasury
hairman, Library of Congress
rust Fund Board

shington, D. C.

383
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE
WASHINGTON

November 12, 1942
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

Dear Henry:

Mr. Schubart had been thought of as a

possibility for appointment as a member of

your auxiliary Foreign Service. It has been
decided not to appoint him.
Believe me

Yours very sincerely,

The Honorable

Henry Morgenthau, Jr.
Secretary of the Treasury.

384

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION

DATE NOV 12 1942

Secretary Morgenthau

TO

FROM

Randolph Paul

Some time ago we reported that Frank Altschul has a very

small participation in the profits of Lazard Freres, New York,
although he is the senior partner. In a discussion Pehle had

with Lazard Freres representatives today he learned that

Altschul has contributed all the American capital in the firm,
which amounts to about one-third of the total capital, but that

his guaranteed share in the profits amounts to only one percent.
We understand that arrangements of this type are common in the
investment banking field.
You may also be interested in knowing about the following
event which just occurred in connection with the Lazard Freres
matter. Mr. Alfred Cook of the firm of Cook, Nathan, Lehman
and Greenman, who is counsel for Lazard Freres, acts also as

counsel for the New York Times. Last week a member of Cook's
firm discussed several Lazard Freres problems with Paul Gewirtz,
one of our junior men in Foreign Funds Control who has been

working on the Lazard Freres problem. Yesterday Shaeffer of
Chick Schwarz' office asked our administrative section for
Gewirtz' personnel file, indicating that the New York Times
had asked for the record of Gewirtz. Ferdie Kuhn, at our request,
made discreet inquiries of the New York Times as to why they
wanted this information and learned that the Times was going to

turn it over to Mr. Cook who had asked that they obtain it for
them.

In other words, the New York Times requested personnel

information from the Treasury, not for itself but for a lawyer
in connection with a case which the lawyer was handling before
the Treasury.

me burbh

her

STRIOTLY CONFIDENTIAL

TREASURY DEPARTMENT

385

INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION
DATE NOV 12 1942
TO

Secretary Morgenthau

FROM Randolph Paul

You may be interested to know that Military Intelligence
called Foreign Funds Control this morning to request urgently any
information that we might have concerning the location of assets
held by Marshal Petain or two persons in Morocco named Auguste

Paul Nogeus and Thady El Glaoui. Military Intelligence stated
that General Eisenhower had requested such information.

Apparently General Eisenhower had been informed that Petain
had an annuity with a Canadian insurance company and in 1940 had

directed the resulting funds to be paid to J. P. Morgan and
Company.

In addition to making a thorough search of Foreign Funds
Control records both in Washington and the New York Federal
Reserve Bank, we requested the French American Banking Corporation
and J. P. Morgan and Company to check their records for any

information that they might have. A check was also made with
the Office of Censorship, the British Embassy, and the Canadian
Legation. No information was discovered indicating that any of
these three men is holding any assets in the United States. We
were able to discover, however, that Marshal Petain has an

annuity policy with the British branch of the Confederation Life

Association of Canada and that the annuity payments of E300 per

year (minus taxes) are being paid into a blocke a sterling

account held by Morgan Grenfell of England for account of Morgan

and Cie. of Chatel-Guyon. Apparently Petain had, after the fall

of France, made inquiries concerning the payment of his annuity,
and the British Government, after some consideration of this

matter and discussion in the House of Commons, had been prepared

to transfer the funds to Petain under the British-French clearing

agreement. Petain, however, preferred to accumulate blocked
sterling balances.

This information was promptly given to Military Intelligence.

fee

TREASURY DEPARTMENT

386

INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION

DATE November 12,194

Secretary Morgenthau
FROM

Randolph Paul

This is to bring you up to date on developments since
Monday
the French situation insofar as Foreign Funds
Control ison
concerned.
(1) The FBI sent all American employees of the French Line

home on Monday and took all French employees into custody.

After being detained for two days and questioned most of
the French employees were released. The French ships in
American waters have been taken into protective custody by

the War Shipping Administration. Further action with
respect to the French Line awaits clarification of this
Government's relations with the French colonies and other
important political decisions.

(2) The French American Banking Corporation. This bank,
which you will recall is one-half American owned and one-

half French owned, is operating without difficulty under
careful Treasury supervision. Treasury guards are on duty
throughout the night to insure that no files are destroyed
or removed from the premises. The two representatives of
the Bank of Indo-China, who have office space on the
premises of the French American Banking Corporation, have

been barred therefrom and are being carefully investigated
by the Foreign Funds Control in view of their questionable

activities.

(3) French diplomatic and consular accounts. The licenses
over these accounts were all revoked before the opening of
the banks on Monday morning. Similar action was taken with
respect to the individual accounts of these officials.
Certain of the licenses over the individual accounts may
be reinstated in view of the pro-Allied actions of some of
the former Vichy officials.

(4) North Africa. No action has been taken to lift the
freezing control with respect to North Africa in spite of
the success of the American forces in the area. It is

-2-

387

possible that the freezing controls can be used in such a
situation to implement local exchange controls, particularly
during a transition period. The Foreign Funds Control has
gathered together information with respect to all the goods
which the French had purchased in the United States under
the North African arrangement, but which had not been shipped.
This information had been furnished to the Board of Economic
Warfare at its request in order that arrangements may be
made
for Africa.
this Government to take over such goods and ship
to North
(5) Martinique. There has been no change in the situation,
which is being watched closely. The Martinique arrangement
under which approximately one million dollars in goods is
shipped to Martinique each month can be terminated at a
moments notice. The Foreign Funds Control also has an
informal arrangement with the Navy Department so that no
ships will leave for Martinique during this period without
clearance with us.

(6) Special instructions to United States missions in
Latin America. In cooperation with the State Department
there was drafted and dispatched to all of the United
States missions in Latin America a circular telegram
advising the missions in detail of the action which this

Government had taken with respect to French funds, in-

cluding the designation of all of France as enemy territory. For your confidential information the State Depart-

ment refused to recommend to the other Latin American

governments that they break relations with the Vichy
Government.

has

388

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION

DATE NOV 12 1942

Secretary Morgenthau
Randolph Paul

Should our relations with Spain deteriorate
in view of developments initiated by the North
African campaign, a serious situation would have
to be met in Puerto Rico where there are large
Spanish holdings and where much of the economic
life is dominated by Spanish interests.
As in the other possessions, the Foreign

Funds Control problems in Puerto Rico have been

handled under the direction of the Governor. However,
we have not staffed a local office in Puerto Rico
with personnel from Washington. From information
available to us, it appears that Foreign Funds
Control problems have not been well handled in
Puerto Rico and the Governor's office is not
equipped to handle the problems which will arise
in the event of trouble with Spain.
Accordingly, we are sending to Puerto
Rico by the next plane Mr. James Saxon and Mr.
Edward Rains. Saxon is a member of Mr. Pehle's
staff who was in the Philippines, was evacuated
with Sayre, and has since handled Foreign Funds
Control problems both here in Washington and in
Hawaii. Rains is an attorney who has been working
on Foreign Funds Control problems and who recently
went to Mexico in connection with the currency
problem. We will probably send several additional
men in the near future.
This action has been cleared with

Interior.

for

389

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION

DATE NOV 12 1942

TO

FROM

Secretary Morgenthau
Randolph Paul

You may be interested in the following:
We learned today from the British that
the German Consul General in Liberia and his

staff left Monrovia, Liberia, by air on November 5.
They were due to arrive in Algiers today. The
German Consul General was carrying over 1000 ounces

of gold for which export licenses had been issued
by the Liberian authorities in the name of local
German firms in Liberia.
This information has been furnished to

Army Intelligence who are transmitting it to the
North African front.

Treasury Department 3
Division of Monetary Research
DateNov. 17, 194219
To:

Secretary Morgenthau

You were right about the

irth rate in England increasing.
he appended memorandum shows that

t was decreasing from 1938 through

941, but increasing slightly this
ear.

H.D.W.

MR. WHITE

Branch 2058 - Room 214

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
391

INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION

DATE November 12, 1942

Mr. White

TO

FROM

Subject:

Mr. Wood

Birth and Death Rates in England and Wales

At

1. From 1938 through 1941 the annual birth rate (number of live
births per 1000 of population) declined from slightly more than 15 to
slightly more than 14, or by about one birth per 1,000 of population.
The actual number of live births decreased from 621 thousand in
1938 to 587 thousand in 1941.

2. During the first two quarters of 1942 the birth rate was
higher, by a very small fraction, than in any corresponding period
of the years 1938-1941. If similar improvement is realized during
the last half of this year the 1942 birth rate will be somewhat higher
than in any of the four preceding years.
3. The death rate (number of deaths per 1,000 of population) increased from 11.6 in 1938 to 14 in 1940, and then declined to about
13 in 1941. The rate for the first two quarters of 1942 was somewhat
above the comparable rate for 1938 but was lower than the comparable
rates for the years between 1938 and 1942.
4. In 1938 the actual number of deaths was 479 thousand, as
compared with 582 thousand in 1940 and 535 thousand in 1941.

392

NOV 12 1942

My dear Mr. President:

I am enclosing report on our exports
to some selected countries for the period
ending October 31, 1942.

Faithfully,
(Signed) H. Morgeather, Jr.

Secretary of the Treasury.
The President,
The White House.

Enclosure

By Mess. Sturgis 5:05 11/12/42

File in Diary
Extra copies direct to office
White's

HDW/grs

New 11/18/FILE COPY

SECRET
393
November 10, 1942

Exports to Russia, Free China and selected blocked
countries as reported to the Treasury Department
during the eleven-day period ending
October 31, 1942

1. Exports to Russia
Exports to Russia as reported during the eleven-

day period ending October 31, 1942 amounted to
$45,701,000 as compared with $55,083,000 during the

previous ten-day period. Military equipment amounted
to $18,417,000 or 40 percent of the total and included
12 light bombers, 45 fighter planes and 109 military
tanks. (See Appendix c.)
2. Exports to Free China
No exports to Free China were reported during
the period under review.

3. Exports to selected blocked countries
Experts to selected blocked countries are given
in Appendix A. Most important were exports to
Switzerland amounting to $2,724,000.

ISF/grs
11/11/42

SECRET
394
APPENDEX A

Semmary of United States Exports to Selected
Countries as Reported to the Treasury Department
from Export Declarations received

During the Period Indicated V
(In thousands of dollars)

11-day

U.S.S.R.
Free

China

Brain

Switzerland
Sweden

Portugal

French North Africa 2/

10-day

Total
Domestic Exports

Total
Demostic Exports

Aug. 1, 1942 to
Oct. 31. 1962

July 28, 1941 to
July 31. 1942

Period ended

Period ended

Oat. 32. 1942

Oct. 20. 1942

$ 45,701

8 55,083

$ 365,855

$ 742,941

30

6,933

97,720

757

2,858

281

4,249

11,537

117

2,625

18,056

22

796

9,743

2,088

6,305

361

2

2,724

211

.

-

Treasury Department, Division of Monstary Research

-

November 10, 1942

V Many of the export declarations are received with a lag of several days or more.
Therefore this compilation does not accurately represent the actual shipment of
a particular period.
2/ Includes Merecoo, Algeria and Tunisia.

MVF/EFM/grs

11/10/42
(

SECRET

APPENDIX B

395

Exports as from the U. s. to Free China and U.S.S.R.

reported to the Treasury Department
July 28, 1941 - October 31, 1942
(Thousands of Dollars)

Exports to
Free China

-2
4
--10
-5

July 28,1942
1941 - Jan. 24, 1942
an. 26 - Jan. 31

32,758

$

U.S.A.
. 98,902

6,938
4,889
4,853

-

eb. eb. 10 1 Feb. Feb. 10 20

eb. 20 - Feb. 28 3
Bar. 1 - Mar. 10
ar. 10 -

9,608
13,315
26,174
26,119
32,509

2,921
2,879

8,058

28,556
42,435
51,698
66,906
50,958
28,652

2

ar. 20 1 Mar. Mar. 20 31

4,836

-

5,335

- Apr. 30

pr. pr. pr. 11 21 Apr. Apr. 20

2,827

296

-

May Say 11 1 May May 10 20

1,872

-Say 21 - May 31
June 1 - June 10
Dine 11 - June 20

18,000

2,533
3,399
2,707

ne 21 - June 30
July 1 - July 10

26,180

12,764
53.799
49,919

1,664
7,900

uly 11 - July 20
July 21 - July 31 y
ug. 1 - Aug. 10
ug. 11 - Aug. 20
ug. 21 - Aug. 31 4
ept. 1 - Sept.10

35,657
33,940

590

3,066
208
192

2,850
855

Sept.11 - Sept.20
Sept.21 -- Sept.30

et. et.111- Oct.
10
Oct. 20
ot. 21 - Oct. 32 4/

Exports to

11

902

1,885
30

35,669

14,970
23,325
112,492
24,339
44,434

30,947
14,564
55,083
45.701

TOTAL

$ 107,256

$1,109,615

/

/

/ These figures are in part taken from copies of shipping manifests.

V

Beginning with February 1, figures are given for 10-day period
instead of week, except where otherwise indicated.

8-day period.
11-day period.

Due to changes in reporting procedure by the Department of
Commerce, this report is incomplete for the period indicated.

neury Department, Division of Monetary Research

November 9, 1942

SECRET
396

APPENDIX 0

Principal Exports from U.S. to U.S.S.N.
as reported to the Treasury Department during the eleven-de powies
ending October 31, 1048

Unit of
Quantity

Value

Quantity

TOTAL EXPORTS

(Thousands

of dollars)
$ 46,702

Military Equipment (618,427)
Ammunities

6,888

Aircraft

Light bembers (S engine A-20)
Fighters (2 engine P-40)

No.
No.

4,606
18
48

Military tanks

Light tanks (M-S)

Light tanks n.o.s.

Medium banks

Medium tanks n.o.s.
Ordnance Combat Vehiclee
Seous ears

Light spaced care
Ordnance combat vehicles n.o.s.

Explesives

80 - certificate guas
All other.

No.
No.
No.
No.

2,299
1

se
10

40

1,710
No.

806
109
#5

Lb.

7,254,860

No.
NO.

2,400
460

1,284

SECRET
397
Appendix c (Sen's)

Page

of

Quality

-

Food products.

Industrial, agricultural & electrical
aschinery & parts.

Iyon and steel afgra. & cont-signe.
Meter treaks, meteroycles and parts.
Metals and manufactures a.e.a.

Alumisus a a

--

Cotton, weal a other Sextiles
Leather and manufactures.

Chemicals and related protects

Petrolous protests
Rubber and comfectures.
Merchant veneuls

All other.

-

-

Treasury Department, License of Receipt
MVF/EFN/grs

11/10/42

-

--

(a

8

Value

6,247
6,000

3.539

3.49
2.997
2,473
1,439

1,048
706

my
age
376
age

November 10. 19th

398

NOV 12 1942

My dear Mr. Secretary:

I as enclosing report on our exports
to some selected countries for the period
ending October 31, 1942.

Sincerely yours,
(Signed) H. Morgenthau, Jr.

Secretary of the Treasury.
The Honorable,

The Secretary of State.
Enclosure

By Mess. Sturgie 5:05 11/12/42

File in Diary
Extra copies direct to White's
office
HDW/grs

11/10/

FILE COPY

SECEET
399
November 10, 1942

Exports to Nussia, Free China and selected blocked
countries as reported to the Treasury Department
during the eleven-day period ending
October 31, 1942

1. Exports to Ruggia
Exporte to Russia as reported during the elevenday period ending October 31, 1942 amounted to
$45,701,000 as compared with $55,083,000 during the

previous ten-day period. Military equipment totaled
$18,417,000. (See Appendix 0.)

2. Exports to Free China
No exports to Free China were reported during
the period under review.

3. Exports to selected blooked countries
Exports to selected blocked countries are given
in Appendix A. Host important were exports to
Switzerland amounting to $2,724,000.

ISF/grs
11/11/42

SECRET
400

APPENDIX A

Summary of United States Exports to Selected
Countries as Reported to the Treasury Department
from Report Declarations received

During the Period Indicated V
(In thousands of dollars)

1D-day

Period ended

Oat. 32. 1942
U.S.S.R.
Free Chima
Spain

witserland
Sweden

Portugal

French North Africa 2

10-day
Period ended

as 20. 1942

8 45,702

Aug. 1, 1942 to

Oat. n. 1942

Total
Democric Explora

July 28, 1941 to
July n. 1942

$ 55,083

$ 365,855

8 742,941

30

6,933

97,720

757

2,858

281

4,249

11,537

117

2,625

18,056

22

796

9,743

2,086

6,305

-

361

2

2,724

211

-

Total
Deneatic Reports

-

Treasury Department, Livision of Monstary Research

November 10, 1942

1 Many of the expert declarations are received with a lag of several days or more.
Therefore this completion does not accurately represent the actual shipment of
a particular period.
2/ Includes Hereace, Algerie and Tunisia.

MVF/EFM/gra

11/10/42

SECRET
APPENDIX B

401

Exports from the U. s. to Free China and U.S.S.R.
as reported to the Treasury Department
July 28, 1941 - October 31, 1942 1/
(Thousands of Dollars)
Exports to

Exports to

32,758

8 98,902

6,938

9,608
13,315

Free China

July 28, 1941 - Jan. 24, 1942
1942
an. 26 - Jan. 31

e

eb. 1 - Feb. 10

eb. 10 - Feb. 20
eb. 20 - Feb. 28

ar. 1 - Mar. 10

4,889
4,853
2,921
2,879

3

lar. 10 - Mar. 20
lar. 20 - Mar. 31

8,058
2

pr. 1 - Apr. 10

4,836
5.335

pr. 11 - Apr. 20
pr. 21 - Apr. 30
May 1 - May 10 5
lay 11 - May 20

2,827
296

1,872
2,533
3,399
2,707
1,664
7,900

May 21 - May 31
June 1 - June 10
une 11 - June 20
ane 21 - June 30

July 1 - July 10
July 11 - July 20
July 21 - July 31 y

590

3,066
208
192

Aug. 1 - Aug. 10

Aug. 11 - Aug. 20
Aug. 21 - Aug. 31 4
Sept. 1 - Sept.10
Sept.11 - Sept.20
Sept.21 - Sept.30

2,850
855
11

902

1,885

Oct. 1 - Oct. 10

Oct. 11 - Oct. 20
Dot. 21 - Oct. 31 4

1

2

3

5

30

TOTAL

$ 107,256

U.S.S.R.

26,174
28,119
32,509
28,556
42,435
51,698
66,906

50,958
28,652

18,000
26,180
12,764
53,799
49,919
35,657
33,940
35,669
14,970

23,325
112,492
24,339
44,434
30,947

14,564
55,083
45,701

$1,109,615

These figures are an part taken from copies of shipping manifests.
Beginning with February 1, figures are given for 10-day period
instead of week, except where otherwise indicated.
8-day period.
11-day period.

Due to changes in reporting procedure by the Department of
Commerce, this report is incomplete for the period indicated.
essury Department, Division of Monetary Research

MVR/EFM/grs

11/9/42

November 9, 1942

SECRET
402

Appendix c

Principal Experts from U.S. to U.S.S.R.
as reported to the Treasury Department
during the eleven-day period ending
October 31, 1949

(Thousands of Dollars)
TOTAL EXPORTS

$45,701

Principal Items:
Military equipment

Industrial machinery & parts
Iron & steel wire, plates, bars, castings,
forgings, etc.
Motor trucks, motercycles & replacement parts

18,417
4,496
3,584
3,496

canned sausage

1,960

Dried egg products

Aluminum & alumimum manufactures

1,688
1,884
1,478

Leather and manufactures

1,048

Canned pork

1,009

Electrical & agricultural machinery and apparatus
Cotton, wool & other textile products
Meat products n.e.b.

Copper, wire, plates, & pipes

Mersury and molybedenum ore
Petroleum products

Tallow and lard

Rubber and manufactures
Merchant vessels

Chemical specialties & industrial chemicals
Coal tax products

Milk, cream and cheese

Breas, brense, lead, nickel and sinc manufactures
Relief supplies
Cottonsood and CO TO oil

1,436

701
781
834
497
458
450
378
361
345
960
948
144
129

Treasury Department, Division of Monetary Research November 10, 1948
MVF-EFM-ef 11/10/42

NOT TO BE RE-TRANSHITTED

403
COPY NO.

13

BRITISH MOST SECRET
U.S. SECRET

OPTAL No. 393
FRENCH NORTH AFRICA.
10th

One battalion of Gorman airborne troops arrived
morning.
A
British
infantry
Brigade occupied BOUGIE early morning
11th without opposition.
in

TUNISIA

OPTEL No. 394

EGYPT. 10th. During morning South African armoured cars patrolled
SISI AZEIZTO CAMBUT and moved westwards towards TOBRUK; 7th Armoured Division
crossed the frontier near MADDALENA. 2nd New Zealand Division continued advance

along coast road with an armoured division in support: enemy resistance, which had
ceased
at SIDI BARRANI during the night was again met in BUQ BUQ and advance delayed
until
evening.

OPTEL No. 395

Information received up to 7 A.M., 12th November, 1942.
1. FRENCH NORTH AFRICA

10th. In the morning Admiral Darlan at ALGIERS ordered all French
Naval, Military and Air Forces in NORTH AFRICA including MOROCCO and TUNISIA, to

stop fighting immodiately. Subsequently, however, Marshall Petain broadcast instructions counternanding this order. This caused confusion among French Commanders

TUNIS. 10th. German aircraft at EL AQUINA airfield: 24 dive bomboro
23 M.E. 109's, and 40 JU 52 transports. At dusk nine Beaufighters attacked the
German aircraft. 10 were set on fire and a further 16 were damaged, all on the
ground. One Beaufighter is missing.
BOUGIE. 11th. An unopposed SOE landing WSS made in the morning. At

dusk heavy air attacks took place. One of H.M. Monitors and two transports were

hit and set on fire. One of the transports feared total loss.

ALGIERS. Unloading continues satisfactorily. A transport of 11,000

tons reported torpedoed 11th southeast of GIBRALTAR.

ORAN. Harbour blocked, no ships can enter. One of H.M. transports
sunk north of the Port - 425 survivors picked up.
CASABLANCA. U.S. Forces converged on the town from UEDALA and SAFI

and coordinated attack led to the capitulation of the French Army Forces in the cit"
at 7 a.m. 11th. The harbour capacity is greatly reduced by sunken ships. A 7,000
ton U.S. ship was sunk and a U.S. destroyer damaged.

GIBRALTAR. One of H.M. depot ships and destroyers were torpedoed night
11th/12th 180 miles west of GIBRALTAR.
NAVAL

Early 11th a Royal Indian Navy minesweeper which was built in AUSTRALIA
engaged an enemy raider which attacked a Dutch tanker under her escort 600 miles
southwest of cocos ISLANDS. The raider caught fire and is believed sunk but her
supply ship escaped. The minesweeper was damaged but is proceeding.
3. AIR OPERATIONS

WESTERN FRONT. 11th/12th. 40 aircraft laid SOB mines.
EGYPT. 10th. 5 U.S. Liberators bombed shipping in BENGHAZI Harbour.
10th/11th. Halifaxes and Wellingtons bombed TOBRUK HARBOUR and closely packed M.T.
on the TOBRUK-GAZALA Road.

SARDINIA. 10th/11th. 7 Wollingtons attacked airfields near CAGLIARI.
4 enemy aircraft on the ground and an ammunition dump wore destroyed.
CRETE. 10th. 6 U.S. Fortresses bombed shipping in HERAKLION HARBOUR.

404
NOT TO BE RE-TRANSMITTED
COPY NO.

13

BRITISH MOST SECRET
U.S. SECRET

OPTEL No. 402

Following
is supplementary
resume of operational events covering
the period November
5th - 12th,
1942.
1. FRENCH NORTH AFRICA

A. NAVAL

22 large British warships, 54 dostroyers, 45 other warships, 12
large United States warships and 48 destroyers employed in these operations.
British Naval forces operated inside MEDITERRANEAN and United States Naval forces
off Moroccan Atlantic Coast. The 1st convoy left UNITED KINGDOM over a fortnight

before landing took place. Fighter protection in initial states provided by
carrier-borne aircraft. By midday 8th airfield ALGIERS area captured and aircraft
sent to use them. Hostilities this area ceased a.m. same day. Ships entered
harbour at dawn 9th November. Port facilities intact, authorities and shore labour
proved very cooperative. ORAN more difficult, and entrance to harbour covered
guns of fort. Airfields ceptured by United States troops by 3 p.m. 8th after
attack by British naval aircraft and R.A.F. aircraft sont to take over. French
ships made 2 sorties on 8th and 9th. 2 destroyers and one other French ship sunk
or beached. Fort commanding harbour entrance bombarded by one of H.M. Battleships
on 9th and 10th, and p.m. 10th United States troops entered the city.
CASABLANCA. French ships, including cruisors, made sortio, one
destroyer sunk and others damaged. By evening on 10th airfield at PORT LYAUTEY

captured and aircraft sont to use it. By 8 n.m. 11th, French Military Forces at
CASABLANCA capitulated. Harbour at ORAN blocked by French reopened by 12th.
Clearance proceeding. Harbour at CASABLANCA much encumbered by wrecks of French

ships including JEAN BART, 1 cruisor and 2 destroyers. Night 10th successful
landings were made at BOUGIE. This port, however, has since been subjected to
heavy air attack. Landing at BONE accomplished without opposition a.m. 12th.

After first few days of operations considerable concentrations of U-boats both east
and west of GIBRALTAR, and casualties to shipping occurred.
B. MILITARY

In ALGIERS area all initial landings were successful, including
one by British Infantry Brigade group. French military resistance very slight and
town surrendered 8th. City completely calm.
In ORAN area initial landings were successful, but considerable
opposition was encountered from naval units when assault forces got ashore, particularly in vicinity of town of ORAN from forts at MERS EL KEBIR and high ground
west of the town. City entered midday 10th after concerted attack from 3 sides with
air support from TAFAROUI airfield and naval fire on coast batteries. 39 United
States troop-carrying aircraft with parachutists flew direct from United Kingdom
to ORAN area. 30 arrived, the others are not yet accounted for. In FRENCH MOROCOO
initial landings made at MEHDIA, 20 miles north of RABAT, FEDALA, 15 miles north of
CASABLANCA, and SAFI, 140 miles further south, where considerable opposition was
excountered. Both SAFI and MEHDIA occupied 9th and FEDALA 10th. An armoured column
moved south from FEDALA towards CASABLANCA, which surrendered a.m. 11th. Conforce
between Allied commanders and Darlan at ALGIERS 10th resulted latter ordering all

French air, BOB and land forces in NORTH AFRICA to cease hostilities. Attitude of
Frunch generally apathetic. Some 200 members of German and Italian Armistice
Commissions caught in ALGIERS. German land forces in TUNISIA believed intended for
airfield protection. French Army in NORTH AFRICA limited by armistice terms to
approximately 120,000, of which about 50 per cent are Europeans. Army short of
sodorn equipment and not in a position to offer sustained resistance against powerful
well-armed force.
C. AIR OPERATIONS

Rapid success of operation due largely to surpriso of both French
and Axis and rapidity with which aerodromes were soized and French air opposition
eliminated. Effective attacks on aerodromos in SARDINIA and TUNISIA by aircraft
operating from MALTA did much to hamper Axis counter action. German Air Forces at
present in TUNISIA consist of dive-bambers, fighters and transport aircraft. Dive-

bombers operated mainly against BOUGIE.

405

-22. NAVAL
Cruisers HIPPER and KOLN in Northern NORWAY, TIRPITZ nt TRONDHEIM,
SCHEER believed returned to BALTIC, SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU, PRINZ EUGEN, NURNBERG,

and GRAF ZEPPELIN seen at GDYNIA on 11th. Out of 12 ships independently routed, 4
have arrived NORTH RUSSIA, 2 believed sunk, 2 overdue, 3 returned ICELAND (c) and
one bombed, but proceeding. German raider NEUMARK attacked at HAVRE by our aircraft

has moved up Channel and may have passed through STRAIT OF DOVER.

ITALIAN FLEET. 3 cruisors lately at NAVARINO have moved to Sicilian
ports. There was appreciable increase in ITALY-LIBYA traffic during the wook.

The Japanese are still superior in carrier-borne aircraft. Allied
superiority in shore-based aircraft, however, remains very large and the rate of
Jupanese wastage is increasing it. Important factor in the air situation is that the
UNITED STATES airfield at ESPIRITU SANTO, NEW HEBRIDES, can be used by fully loaded
Fortresses.

SUBMARINE WARFARE. Week ending 11th. Quiet period except in Western
"mediteRRANEAN, but German U-boats still presont in SOUTH INDIA OUEAN. 2 promising
air attacks reported NORTH ATLAN'IC. Tonnage lost October reported to date 554,000,

about 97% from U-boats. Includes 13 tankers aggregating 118,000 gross tons. Total
o. 79 ships sunk by U-boat during October, of which 52 in NORTH ATLANTIC. Percentage
of ships lost in ocean convoys curing month - 9%
TRADE. 3 German binclo.do runners reported to have arrived BOSCAU ports

recently and 4 believed to have sailed for JAPAN. Imports in convoy into UNITED
KINGDOM wook ending 7th, 875,000 Lone, including 364,000 tono of oil.
3. MILITARY

MIDDLE EAST. It is now known that after withstanding brunt of our
attack, northern sector on 2nd and 3rd November, the two German rmoured and Italian

Littorio Divisions had lost bulk of their tanks. 164th German Light Division was
reduced to 25% of its strength and Italian Tronto Division practically wiped out.
German 90th Light Division WILD possibly three parts intact. Our advance at this
stage slow owing to mines and anti-tank guns. Enemy now believed received small
roinforcuments of tanks, but no stand expected east of EL ACHEILA position.

RUSSIA Position at STALINGRAD likely to become stalomato. For past
work, Gorman confined themsolves mainly to local attacks. Russians have been counterattacking resolutely, and report signs of German exhaustion.
FAR EAST. BURMA. Although some regrouping of Japanese along frontier
possibly taking place, no indications of major offensive against INDIA being contem-

plated.

4. AIR OPERATIONS

WESTERN FRONT. 3 principal day operations were made by U.S. heavy
bombors. ST. NAZAIRE docks attacked by 29 Fortresses from 7,500 to 10,000 foot and

then by 11 Liberators. Total of 97 tons of bombs dropped. No fighter opposition,
but A.A. was intense and accurate. BREST dooks and U-boat pons bombed, but weather

bad, results unobserved. Fives-Lille Stool Works bombod accurately from high level
momber Command carried out 3 main night operations.
HAMBURG. Attack spoilt by weather.

GENOA. Weight of both attacks moderate, but excellent weather and

accurate marking by Pathfinders led to successful results. Normal number of antiU-boat and BISCAY patrols by coastal and bomber commands. 508 sea mines laid.
MEDITERRANEAN. LIBYA. Our sorties under 4,000 against over 6,000 last
week. Reduction probably due somewhat to squadrons moving. Quick and close followup by fighter equadrons especially noteworthy.

Interesting incident in capture of EL DABA airfield and 200 prisoners
by R.A.F. regiment. Retroating enomy M.T. continuously harrassed by day and night,
several enemy aircraft, including transport Aircraft, destroyed on landing grounds.
Enemy air activity light and spasmodic.
MALTA. Aircraft based on the Island are taking effective part in North
African operations by bombing Tunisian Axis-occupied airfields and shooting down
troop-carrying aircraft on passage. Bombers have also attacked aerodromos in Southern

SARDINIA.

-3-

406

RUSSIA. Air activity in STALINGRAD area lessened. Initial German
attacks NALCHIK area strongly supported by air, both sides claimed many air victims,

and Russian air force clearly operating in force and successfully.

NEW ZEALAND. The R.N.Z.A.F. now has a bomber reconnaissance squadron
at ESPIRITU SANTO with some aircraft operating from GUADALCANAL and some Catalina

aircraft also operating in INDIA.

5. EXTRACTS
FROM PHOTOGRAPHIC
ON
ENEMY TERRITORY
IN EUROPE. AND INTELLIGENCE REPORTS ON RESULTS OF AIR ATTACKS

MILAN. Photographs 8th show damage, mainly by fire, scattered across

the whole town. Buildings affected mostly were industrial, including some at

Laproni Aircraft Works. Damage also to railway communications.

LE CREUSOT. Photographs 9th give evidence of further damage through-

out the works, reports confirm this and state that the day after attack, 2 trains
of
A.A. arrived in the neighbourhood. Repairs to roofs and buildings already in
hand.
ST. NAZAIRE. During attack on 9th, photographs indicated damage to

following - large warehouses and buildings in docko, locomotive depot, shipyards,
hydraulic
machine shops, ship half submerged after direct hit, permanent way and
rolling stock.
5. OPERATIONAL AIRCRAFT BATTLE CASUALTIES
METROPOLITAN AREA

British and Allied

Enemy

Dest.

Bombers

47

Bombers

Fighters

10

Fighters
Miscellaneous

Coastal

9

Army Co-operation
Total

Prob.
Dest.

Nil

2

19

2

24

30

Nil

2

Total 23

1

67

Damaged

1

In the Air

24

33

MIDDLE EAST

(Including MALTA)

British and Allied

Enemy

In the Air
Bombers

Fighters
Total

3 crews and 9 pilots are safe.

Dest.

12

Bombers

30

Fighters
Miscellaneous
Total

42

9

22
7

38

Prob.
Dest.

Damaged

Nil
8

Nil
8

2

20

Nil
22

Note: No account is taken of enemy aircraft destroyed on the

ground in any theater or of British Naval aircraft

casualties.
6. HOME SECURITY

Estimated civilian casualties week ending 6 a.m. 11th - killed 15,
seriously wounded 12.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT

407

INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION
DATENOV. 12,1942
TO

Secretary Morgenthau

FROM

Mr. Hoflich

Subject: North African Naval Situation (from British sources).
Naval Losses

According to British reports, the following losses have
occurred in the past few days, in action at Algiers, Casa-

blanca, Bizerte and Oran:

A. Axis losses
French - one battleship (35,000 ton Jean Bart)

severely damaged, 8 destroyers sunk or

damaged, one submarine sunk.

German - One submarine sunk.

Italian - One cruiser damaged.
B. United Nations losses

U. S. - One transport sunk.
British - Two destroyers sunk, one destroyer damaged, one anti-aircraft ship damaged,
one corvette sunk.

(U. K. Operations Report, November 10, 1942)
French Fleet

The following French warships are believed to have been
fully effective before the beginning of present operations in
Northwest Africa:

At Toulon: The 26,500-ton battleship Strasbourg, 4 cruisers,
20 destroyers, 4 submarines.

At Dakar:

The 35,000-ton battleship Richelieu, 4 cruisers,
2 destroyers, 7 submarines.

-2408

French Fleet (continued)

At Casablanca: One cruiser, 7 destroyers, 14 submarines.
At Bizerte: Three destroyers, one submarine.
At Algiers: Two submarines
Total of above:
2 battleships
9 cruisers
32 destroyers
28 submarines

(It has not been revealed how many of the French ships sunk and
damaged were included in the above "fully effective" ships.
Therefore, these figures cannot be used to make an accurate
estimate of the total number of French naval vessels in good
condition and the number captured by the Allies.)
(U.K. Operations Report, October 29-November 5, 1942)

409

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION

DATE Nov.12,1942
TO

FROM

Secretary Morgenthau

Mr. Hoflich

Subject: Japanese and United States Pacific Naval Losses

1. U.S. Naval communiques dated November 2 - 12, 1942,

reveal
the following additional Japanese and U.S. naval losses
in
the Pacific:
A. Japanese

(1) Solomons. Sunk - 6 landing craft; probably sunk,

1 destroyer; damaged - 1 battleship, one

aircraft carrier, 4 cruisers, 2 destroyers,
8 miscellaneous (unidentified) ships.

(2) Aleutians. Damaged - 2 cargo ships.
(3) Submarine action. 9unk - 5 cargo ships, 2 tankers;
damaged - one aircraft carrier,one
destroyer, one tanker.
B. United States
Sunk - one aircraft carrier previously
Solomons.
listed as badly damaged. Damaged - one

auxiliary supply ship.

2. Losses announced in U.S. Naval communiques since

Pearl Harbor total:

A. Japanese: 189 vessels sunk, 42 probably sunk, 204
damaged.

B. United States: 57 vessels lost, 13 damaged.

-2410

Table I
Total Japanese Vessels Sunk and Damaged
to November 12, 1942
Combatant Vessels
Probably

Sunk

Type

Battleships

Sunk

o

Damaged

0

Total

8
8

Aircraft carriers

16

6
1

9

Cruisers

13

Destroyers

32

Submarines

47

4

14

64

1/

25

71

14

6
1
7

Tenders

1

8

2

5

Others

16

15

2

Total

116

24

74

33

214

Non-Combatant Vessels

Fleet Tankers

13

Transports

27

Cargo and Supply

55 1

Miscellaneous

20

Total

Total all types

o

21

8

7

9

2

21 1

55

34

98

25

47

115

18

88

221

189

42

204

435

1/ Also several additional vessels

-3Table II

411

American Naval Vessels Sunk and Damaged to
November 12, 1942

Demolished

to prevent

Lost

Type

Battleships

1

Aircraft Carriers

4

Cruisers

4

Submarines

Auxiliary Seaplane Tender

0

o

0

4

2

6

0

1

6

3

1

0

2

1

0

o

Mine Craft

5

2

O

Gunboats

3

1

0

Tankers

0

o

3

1

0

1

Target Ships

Patrol boats

4

1

1

1

2

7

4

3

2

6

2

o

0

1

0

O

1

0

1

0

1

Supply Ship

o

0

48

1

o

Floating Drydock

Total

4

0

1

0

Transports

22

3

1

Tuge

Total
2

15

Submarine Tender

Damaged
1

Destroyers

Motor Torpedo Boats

capture

1

9

1

13

70

-4Table III

412

Japanese and American Vessels Sunk and
Damaged in the Solomon Islands
(Aug. 7 - November 12)
Japanese Losses
Probably

Sunk

Type

Sunk

Damaged

Total

Battleships

o

o

4

4

Aircraft Carriers

o

o

6

6

Cruisers

1

O

7

3

Destroyers
Submarines

1

o

Tenders

o

o

Tankers

o

0

Transports

2

1

o

o

Cargo and Supply

Miscellaneous

10

1/

Total

32

11

21

o

1

2

2

1

1

1

6

9

6

6

19 1/

O

21

31 1

29

111

86

4

American Losses

Aircraft Carriers

o

4.

Cruisers
Destroyers

Patrol Boats

2

2

6
2

8
2

6

1

0

1

1

0

Tugs

1

Transports

5

1

4

1

1

Supply Ship

Total

o

18

1 Also several additional vessels.

6

24

-5-

413

Table IV
Japanese Vessels Sunk and Damaged in the

Aleutian Islands
(June 15 - November 12, 1942) 1
Sunk

Cruisers

1

Destroyers
Submarines

3

13
6

6

1

9

4

1

0

16

2

2

o

1

14

9

o

2

2

7

29

No American Vessels have been reported lost or damaged in

this area to date.

2,

6

1

2

Total

5

5

Minesweepers

1

Damaged

4

o

Cargo and Supply

Total

Sunk

o

6

Transports

Miscellaneous

Probably

1

Type

Also several additional vessels.

52

414

NUMBER 57

SECRET

OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES

THE WAR
THIS WEEK
November 5-12,1942

Printed for the Board of Analysts

Copy No. 6

The Security

NOVEMBER 5-12, 1942

SECRET

Office of Strategic Services

THE WAR THIS WEEK
Striking simultaneously at a series of strategic points in
French North Africa, American forces this week entered the

European theater in force. With British air and naval
cooperation, the American troops overcame initial French
resistance with finish and despatch and brought the campaign to a close in three days.

With Morocco and Algeria in their possession, AngloAmerican units will obviously strike promptly at the next
objective-Tunisia-and the third stage of the campaign
may well be a collaborative effort with General Montgomery

to liquidate the shrinking remnant of Marshal Rommel's
Afrika Korps. The latter has been hurled back on the Libyan
border and may soon be either surrounded there or harried
across Cyrenaica.

The dramatic seizure of the initiative by the Allies during
the past two weeks marks the beginning of a new phase in the
Hitler to
war. Allied activities haveforced
already
occupy

Vichy France and hastily to transfer air power to the Mediterranean, undertaking added military responsibilities in the
west at a time when German lines are already widely extended

in the east. With the recent reduction of Nazi pressure in
Russia, the Soviet armies are now everywhere holding the

enemy in check.

German activities clearly reveal a deep preoccupation with
the defense of the northern Mediterranean littoral. Whether

they will themselves attempt shortly to regain the initiative
is an open question. But some military observers are in1

SECRET

SECRET

clined to believe that the German military position is sufficiently tight to prohibit any large scale operation this winter.

Allied Occupation of French Northwest Africa
Striking to reopen the Mediterranean and gain control of
North Africa as a base for future operations, American land,
sea, and air forces made multiple landings at 3:00 a. m. on
November 8. Initial landings met with little resistance, and
subsequent discharge of assault convoys was accomplished

despite strong opposition, offered principally by French
naval forces and coastal artillery. Three days later, after
immediate Allied objectives had been largely achieved,
Admiral Darlan gave the order to French forces in North
Africa to cease firing.
The first Allied success occurred in the Mediterranean,
where the landings were covered by British naval forces.
In the Algiers region a direct assault on the port is reported
to have failed, but a landing was made at Sidi Ferruch (see

put into use by Allied aircraft. On November 10, Oran
capitulated.

The Moroccan landings in the vicinity of Casablanca met
with more determined resistance, but all assault waves were

landed. Serious naval opposition was offered, and in the
resulting actions American naval forces either sank or
seriously damaged all the French naval units in the area.
These are believed to have included seven destroyers, a light
cruiser, and the new French battleship, Jean Bart, now burned

out in the port of Casablanca.
Landings in the Casablanca area were at Safi to the south
and Fedala and Mehedya to the north. Coastal batteries at
Fedala and Casablanca were silenced, but resistance continued. The landing at Safi was accomplished in the face of

bombing by Vichy aircraft. Columns from the MehedyaLyautey assault, including elements of General Patton's
armored forces, were advancing on Casablanca when that
city finally capitulated.

Appendix II and map at back, on which the situation is
necessarily incomplete). By the afternoon of November 8

The Battle for Tunis

the airdromes of Blida and Maison Blanche south of Algiers
had been taken, through the use of United States parachute
troops. British fighter planes shortly began to operate from

French North Africa, the first phase of the campaign comes
to an end, and attention focusses on the Allied drive for Tunis

these fields, and in the evening Algiers surrendered unconditionally. The harbor forts were occupied the following
day, and Allied shipping entered the port.

British First Army, American forces have now occupied
Bougie, coastal city 110 miles east of Algiers, and Bône,

Further west, three landings were apparently made in the
Oran area. Coastal batteries on Arzew Heights were taken

early in the morning, shortly afterwards tanks were
landed. In naval engagements, two French destroyers were
sunk and three damaged. By evening, columns advancing
from east and west were converging on the city, and at least
three airfields to the south of Oran had been captured and
2

With Darlan's order for the cessation of hostilities in

and Tripoli. Reportedly reinforced by elements of the
nearest large port to Tunisia.
To meet this Allied threat the Axis has occupied the rest
of France and Corsica, and has apparently concentrated air

strength in the Sicily-Sardinia area. Military observers
believed that a maximum of four or five Italian divisionsand probably less-might have been available in western

Tripoli. Reports also indicate that about 200 enemy
3

SECRET

aircraft have arrived in Tunisia with about 1,000
personnel, and that severalhundred German air-borne troo

have landed at El Aouina airdrome near Tunis. A Briti
raid on this field is reported to have set 19 planes afit

Enemy infiltrations so far appear to be on altogeth
too small a scale to do more than harass the Allied force

and time is growing short for Hitler to move any mass
Axis troops across the Mediterranean to the "defense"
Tunis.

The campaign to date has placed the Allies in control
a thousand miles of strategic Atlantic and Mediterranea

coastline. Dakar on the flank, if it does not voluntaril
enter the Allied fold, remains an isolated fortress. In th
Mediterranean, bases have been gained for coming operation

aimed at clearing the Mediterranean and making Allie
power felt all over southern Europe.
British Drive in Egypt
In the days immediately preceding the American landings

to the west, British forces in Egypt turned an Axis retreat
into a rout that allowed only reduced elements of the original
German Afrika Korps to escape to the Libyan border, where
they are now once again threatened with encirclement.
A rough sketch of the advance is given on the accompany-

ing map. On November 2, the British broke through the
enemy's fixed positions and forced his withdrawal after three

major tank battles. This initial victory was turned into a
disaster for the Axis by the speed and power of the pursuit
by British air, mobile, and armored units; and by the enemy's
tactical errors and acute shortage of motor transport, air
support, and armored equipment.
The Details of the Campaign

Fanning out from the gap, and breaking through in the
south, the British encircled the mass of the Italian forces and
some German elements which lacked the transport necessary
4

40
TOBRUK

Principal

Secondary

Track

MILE

32
SALT MARSH
RESISTANCE
BRITISH DRIVE

AXIS CENTER OF

RAILROAD

ROAD

Sea

NORTH

IN EGYPT

DRAWN IN THE GEOGRAPHY DIVISION. 055

BRITISH DRIVE

BUQBUO

MATRUM

EL RAHMAN

EL ALAMEIN

BIR EL GOBLA

FUKA*

DALAL

E DADA

4-5

ATTERN

EL

FUAD

EL

BIR-SHEFERZE

WESHKAS

25SIDE BARRANIQARET EL MILLIS

BIR EL SHEGGA

GIARABUSBARDIA

29
Sand

Dunes

SIWA

SINO

Odsis

MAP NO.1262. NOVEMBER 19, 1942

RESTRICTED

29 NORTH LATITUSE

AKROMA!

SECRET

for retreat. These divisions are now offering little serious
resistance. Only the Afrika Korps, using all available trucks,

escaped the Alamein battlefield. This force-the 15th and
21st Armored and 90th Light Divisions-successfully eluded
British efforts at encirclement, withdrawing along the coastal
road to the escarpment southwest of Fuka. Here a stand

was made. Heavily attacked by British armor and threatened on the flank, the Axis was forced to resume its retreat.

To avoid offering a concentrated target to Allied aircraft,
the enemy apparently left the coastal road and went overland

as far as Matruh. Then, after minor resistance at Matruh,
the harassed troops resumed their retreat with a dash to positions in the Halfaya-Capuzzo-Solum region.

The Germans will probably not be able to make any real
stand in the latter area, although they have brought up part or

all of the Italian division that had been garrisoning Tobruk.
They now are believed to have few more than 20,000 men, and
losses in tanks, guns, and planes have also been very severe.

With British heavy units approaching the border, and the
main force presumably advancing along the escarpment to
envelop Halfaya Pass, the Germans may shortly strike out
across the desert for Benghazi or El Agheila. Problems of
communications and transport in this region have halted
British drives before. But this time the ultimate fate of the
Afrika Korps would appear to depend on whether decisions
in Berlin and the battle for the Mediterranean make possible
prompt reinforcement.

The prestige value of this British success has been of the

first importance-especially in its influence on the French
defenders of Northwest Africa.
The Occupation of Vichy France

The occupation of Vichy France was Hitler's answer to the

combined Anglo-American successes in Africa. Whether it
5

SECRET

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was true or not that Hitler, Ciano, and Laval had agreed at
Munich on a program of complete occupation, the conscription of French workers for the Reich, and the handing over
of the French fleet to the Nazis-in any event the Fuehrer
apparently felt that Darlan's equivocal course had indicated

the unreliability of Vichy's fighting forces. Under the
pretext that the next Allied objectives were Corsica and the
French Mediterranean coast, the forces of Field Marshal von
Runstedt on Wednesday morning crossed the demarcation
line at Chalons-sur-Saône and a few hours thereafter reached

Lyons, Vichy, and Marseille. Italian troops have also
entered long-coverted Nice, Chambéry, and Corsica.
Hitler's statement specified that the new occupation was

to be only temporary, and that Pétain's government would
continue its functions and would be free to move to Versailles.
The Marshal, however, protesting against the German action
as a violation of the Armistice terms, showed no signs of com-

plying with the Fuehrer's suggestion. Fighting French
sources in Cairo announced a "confirmed report" that Pétain
had left Vichy.
The logical conclusion of the present crisis would appear

to be the liquidation of the Vichy government except as a
Gauleiter administration under Laval or Doriot, and the
unification of all French resistance in a real government-inexile in Africa. The Vichy naval chiefs however, have as
yet thrown their support to neither side. They have apparently not accepted General Eisenhower's invitation to join
the Allied fleet at Gibraltar, and the German-controlled
Vichy radio has answered London's appeal to French merchant marine officers to put in at Allied-controlled ports, by
ordering them to make for Frenon harbors. As for the navy,
the Vichy radio has similarly announced that in view of the
fleet's determination to resist any attack, the Germans will

not occupy Toulon. It would appear that the French navy
is continuing its previous policy of strict neutrality.
The French Fleet and the Mediterranean Naval Balance

A decision by the French fleet would upset the Mediterranean naval balance, which may now be fairly even. Vichy's
four battleships, seven heavy cruisers, and four light cruisers
based at Toulon and Alexandria, would give an overwhelming

numerical superiority to whichever side they chose to join.
In cooperation with the Italian battle force of six battleships,
three of them of the new Littorio class, based at Taranto,
the French ships could endanger our newly-won positions in
North Africa and cover the reinforcement of Tunis. Without
French help, the Italian fleet would very likely take no action

at the present time-reserving itself for the defense of Italy
later on. In cooperation with the United Nations, however,
the French fleet could probably permanently neutralize the
Italian navy and perhaps even attack it in its own home
waters.

Already, scattered naval engagements between Axis and

Allied forces have apparently begun. The British have
reported the torpedoing of an Italian light cruiser, while
the Germans claim damage to two carriers, two cruisers, and
two destroyers off the Algerian coast.
The Junior Partner of the Axis

Whatever Hitler's Reich may think of the current developments in the Mediterranean, it is Italy which is most deeply

affected. Italy's "destiny" is at stake.
Up to now Italian Fascists have been accustomed to view in

British successes in the Mediterranean simply as incidents
the fortunes of war, which have not endangered the security
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of the Italian peninsula. The present crisis, however,
threatens to give Italy the first taste of a type of defeat which
might undermine the whole Fascist regime, in the view of one
close observer. Furthermore, the appearance of American

forces in the Mediterranean is probably having an incalculable effect on Italian morale. About France, Germany,
and Great Britain, Italians generally (and many Fascists)
have had grave misgivings; but about our country there still

persists the widespread conviction that the "side of the
United States is the side that wins." American activities in
"Italian" Mediterranean waters have doubtless revived in
full force all the sentiments of respect and affection (and
perhaps also fear) that Italians have felt toward the United
States. And these activities have probably confirmed the
doubts of certain Fascists who approved of the German
alliance only so long as the United States stayed out of the
war or at least away from the shores of Europe, our observer
concludes.

German Defensive Strategy

Hitler's latest address, delivered in Munich on November 9,
was evidently intended primarily to reassure party members
of the wisdom of German strategy in Russia in the summer of
1942. The Fuehrer's remarks on this subject were equivalent
to an admission that he had abandoned his strategy of shattering the Red Army in favor of a war on the economic resources

of Soviet Russia. Furthermore, he made only one veiled
reference to the collapse of Rommel's army in Egypt. And
he devoted but a single sentence to the American occupation
of North Africa, and concluded his remarks with the promise
that he was preparing a "thorough and timely counterblow".
At the present time, however, it appears that the Nazis will
confine their counter-measures to the reinforcement of Tunis
and Tripoli and the defense of the European continent.

There is no doubt that the Axis knew of the American plan
well in advance. For the previous few weeks German submarines had been steadily moving away from the Atlantic
Coast of the United States toward Africa. Just prior to the

American landings a concentration of 20 U-boats had
gathered off Gibraltar. In other words, the surprise of the
American operations (if there was a surprise) was tactical
rather than strategic.
Yet even with this knowledge, the Axis has restricted itself

to the occupation of Vichy France. Reports of steady air
reinforcement of Sicily and of special measures to keep the
Hungarian railroads clear during the first half of November
have given no specific indication of troop movements. American military observers believe that Axis quiescence up to the
present, coupled with the strategic disadvantages attendant
on almost any possible course of action, strongly suggest that
the enemy will not attempt any large-scale retaliation.
An invasion of Turkey would have no immediate bearing

on the current Mediterranean campaign. It is, of course,
possible that the Germans could crush the under-equipped

Turkish Army in short order. In the opinion of a highlyplaced civilian observer recently returned from Turkey, however, the invaders could penetrate this winter only as far as
Ankara before their progress would be blocked by snow,
mountainous terrain, and determined resistance. Moreover,
the British have recently sent considerable reinforcements

to Iraq. In short, the Allies might have the whole winter
in which to build up their position behind the Turks, whose
well-drilled and spirited army would need only American
equipment to make of it an effective fighting force.
Severe logistic difficulties also discourage any operations
through Spain.
Even the reinforcement of Tunis and Tropoli would appear
to
be a hazardous undertaking. The American forces have
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anticipated the Axis and are so strategically placed that a
large-scale enemy landing would be a difficult venture (see
Appendix I). Furthermore, even if an Axis army eventually
succeeded in establishing itself in Tunis, it would face on two
sides Allied armies whose supply problem had been immensely
simplified by the control of the Western Mediterranean.
Sicily as a Defensive Bastion

If the Axis restricts itself to a strategy of defense, the
reinforcement of Sicily would probably have first priority
Additional German ground troops may join the one or two
Nazi divisions now in Italy. Of greater importance, however, is the strengthening of Italy's operational air strength
within its own borders, which until recently totaled no more
than 300 planes. The success of the recent RAF daylight
attack on Genoa has dramatically underlined this weakness.
To send German reinforcements from the central part of
the Reich or from the Eastern Front to Sicily should be a
matter of a few days for bombers and a week for fighters-

provided the weather over the Alps were good-but upon
their arrival they would need repairs and maintenance.
Aviation gasoline would probably have to come from Germany by rail. Additional ammunition, spare parts, and
ground crews would also need to be brought overland before

an enlarged Nazi air force could operate out of Sicily. In
Sardinia, Sicily, and Pantelleria, German and Italian air
strength is at present approximately 500 planes. Roughly
three weeks would be needed to double that force.
Air fields in Sicily appear to be adequate to accommodate
a greatly enlarged force. There are 15 known airdromes and
landing grounds, including three with runways and several
others with perimeter and taxi tracks. The GAF has already

operated out of airdromes at Catania, Gerbina, Marsala,
10

Sciacca, Syracuse, and Trapani. The development of the
Sardinian airfields would probably take somewhat longer,
since they have not yet been used by the Nazis. Pantelleria,
however, may soon become troublesome for the United Na-

tions. Although its airfield probably bases only fighter
planes, all types of aircraft have refueled there. It lies less
than 100 miles from the best Tunisian airfields at Tunis
(El Aouina) and Bizerte (Sidi Ahned).
The Russians Hold on all Fronts

Should the Axis choose to reinforce Italy or to take the
offensive elsewhere, it would probably draw the necessary
divisions from the Eastern Front. Already the Nazis have
greatly reduced their pressure in Russia, and the Red Army
has been able to hold its ground at all threatened points.
In Stalingrad, activity has dropped to small-scale attacks and
counterattacks on both sides, while on the Black Sea littoral
northeast of Tuapse the initiative has passed to the Russians.

Before Ordzhonikidze, steady German ground and air assaults have failed to drive back the Soviet defenders, and
the gateway to the Georgian Military Highway is still secure.
Meantime, on the central front, colder and clearer weather
has apparently brought a slight increase in military activity.
The Russians have maintained their pressure against the
German outpost at Rzhev, while the Nazis have bombed
the Soviet concentration point of Ostashkov, between Rzhev
and Staraya Russia. With German ground forces now on the

defensive, Russian guerrillas have apparently begun their
winter operations.

Although German heavy artillery has shelled. the naval
base at Kronstadt, there is still no sign of a forthcoming
attack on Leningrad. With Axis attention focussed on the
Mediterranean, a Leningrad offensive now appears extremely
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unlikely. From now on, the Germans will probably direct
their major efforts against Russian supply lines to Britain

and America. Nazi air attacks on Murmansk and the
Murmansk Railroad, and on the new Astrakhan-Kizlyar
Railroad along
thewinter
Caspian,
give some indication of enemy
intentions
for the
months.
Stalin Charts a Course

As though in anticipation of events to come in Northwest
Africa, Stalin's speech on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the
Bolshevist Revolution was confident in tone and clear-sighted
as to the future. In one sense, the speech was an explanation to the Soviet peoples of Russia's defeats last summer.
Repeating the familiar Soviet argumentation on the Second
Front, Stalin pointed out that "The Libyan front is diverting,
in all, four German divisions and 11 Italian divisions", and
that "instead of the 127 divisions in the first World War, we
are now facing on our front no less than 240 divisions." Had
there been a Second Front this year, the Russian leader asserted, "the Red Army would
be
somewhere near
Pskov, Minsk, Zitomir, and Odessa." Yet the failure of the
Nazis to carry out their alleged timetable was far more sig-

nificant: "to be in Stalingrad July 25, 1942, in Saratov

August 10, 1942, in Kuibyshev August 15, 1942, in Arzamas
September 10, 1942, and in Baku September 25, 1942." Such

a timetable, Stalin maintained, indicated that "the principal
objective of the offensive" was not "to capture the oil districts

of Groznyi and Baku" but "to outflank Moscow from the
east, to cut it off from the Volga and our rear in the Urals,

dissension existed within the "Anglo-Soviet-American coali-

tion". Despite "differences in ideologies and social systems", Stalin proclaimed the unity of the coalition on the
following program of action: "Abolition of racial exclusiveness, equality of nations and integrity of their territories,
liberation of enslaved nations and restoration of their sovereign rights, the right of every nation to arrange its affairs as
it wishes, economic aid to nations that have suffered and
assistance to them in attaining their material welfare, restoration of democratic liberties, the destruction of the Hitlerite
regime."

An Effective Second Front?

Four days after the first American landings in Northwest
Africa, it was still difficult to gauge the Russian reaction to
these events. Soviet newspapers published the African news

in small print and refrained from comment, failing even to
score the obvious point that it was Soviet resistance that had
made the American attack possible, and that Russian coopera-

tion would be an indispensable feature of a full-scale Allied
offensive next spring.
In his anniversary speech Stalin had stated quite flatly
that the Russians eventually expected a second front "in
Europe" as the Anglo-Saxon contribution to the alliance.
And President Roosevelt has revealed that Soviet complaints
about the lack of a second front were made in full knowledge
of American intentions in Africa. On the other hand, a few
weeks ago an authoritative Soviet spokesman declared that a
new front in Africa would be "enough" for 1942, if it diverted

and then to strike at Moscow".

a significant number of Axis troops. Observers of the

In more positive vein, the Russian leader expressed his
confidence that his Allies would open a Second Front in
Europe "sooner or later". And he scouted the assertion that

Russian scene point out that the American landings are the
type of commitment which the Russians have consistently
demanded as an earnest of Anglo-American intentions to
fight an all-out war.
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The Finns Waver

In Helsinki the Allied victories have apparently discouraged
Finnish pro-Nazis, and brought out into the open much pro-

United Nations sentiment, which had previously not dared
to express itself. Already anti-Allied publicity is beginning
to slacken. Furthermore, the Finns seem to have been unimpressed by Hitler's Munich address, which they regarded as
the weakest of his utterances.

increasing at an alarming rate. As occupying powers,
England and France have borne the brunt of nationalist
resentment in the Moslem countries. Furthermore, since
previous British advances in Egypt and Libya have proved
to be indecisive, the general attitude will probably be one of
watchful waiting. Until United Nations successes are confirmed beyond further doubt, probably only those in official
circles will voice their pro-British sentiments.
On the other hand, the Arab has a strong respect for power

Spanish and Portuguese Reaction

The Spanish and Portuguese governments have given
"satisfactory" replies to the American notes and privately
expressed their appreciation of President Roosevelt's assurances. Although restrained, the official press has given wide

publicity to the American assurances and has implied no

criticism in its coverage of events in North Africa. The
Spanish government is obviously apprehensive of Axis pressure, with German troops now all along the Pyrennees, but

has made no moves to strengthen the forces defending its
northern frontier. The presence of an Allied Army should,
however, stiffen Franco's determination to remain neutral.
Popular opinion in both countries has been "downright enthusiastic" in its response to the news.

In Spanish Morocco officials have expressed relief that
their zone is not involved. Quiet has prevailed, and there is
no indication of any Spanish plan to try to annex part of
French Morocco.

Allied Success and the Peoples of the Near East

successfully applied. And this visible triumph will give
United Nations propaganda substantial support. At the
same time, the Axis pose as the defender of Islam will become

correspondingly difficult to maintain.

In Turkey the Anglo-American victories will doubtless
confirm the pro-Allied orientation of the Saracoglu Ministry.
A German invasion at this time would find the Turks more
determined than ever to defend their country in cooperation
with the United Nations.
Latin-American Repercussions

The successful American offensive in Northwest Africa,
following upon the Nazi defeats in Egypt and before Stalingrad, will probably be of inestimable value for the Allied

cause in Latin America. Removing the threat of a Nazi
attack against Brazil and enhancing the prospects of ultimate

victory of the United Nations, it will particularly affect the
international attitude of opportunistic and other vacillating
elements. Thus in Chile it may shortly prove to be the
decisive element in persuading the Ríos government to

Although the news of the Allied victories in Africa will

break relations with the Axis. In Argentina it should

probably not evoke an immediate pro-Allied reaction among
the Arab peoples of the Near East, it will serve to arrest the
current of anti-British and anti-Allied feeling which has been

strengthen General Justo's faction and further reduce

14

Castillo's support within the dominant National Democratic
(Conservative) Party.
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Elsewhere, as in Mexico (where President Avila Camacho

On Guadaleanal, and in the Solomons as a whole, the situ-

quickly broke off relations with Vichy), in Cuba (which

ation has not changed significantly. After moving more

followed suit), and in Peru (whose president congratulated
Mr. Roosevelt), the North African campaign will undoubtedly
solidify pro-United Nations sentiment and will soon rid the
greater part of the hemisphere of the Vichy missions which
have been serving as a part of the Axis espionage system.
As for Martinique, French Guiana, and the other French
possessions, the anti-Vichy sentiments of the great majority

than two miles westward along the coast toward the main
Japanese positions on the island, our troops were halted by
enemy counter-attacks near Point Cruz. A similar expansion eastward, beyond Koli Point to the Metepona River,

of inhabitants can be counted on in case occupation becomes

late October.

necessary.

In the Aleutians, the enemy position remains precarious.
Seven Japanese float planes were sighted in Holtz Bay, Attu
Island, November 7-the greatest number of enemy planes

Allied Pressure on the Pacific Fronts

The Pacific fronts are relatively quiet, but persistent Allied
pressure has improved our ground positions both at Guadal-

encountered little resistance. Enemy warships still are
active in the northern Solomons, and shipping is being
maintained at a fairly high level, although under that of

seen in this theater for some weeks. All seven were destroyed

in situ two days later.

canal and in New Guinea. In the latter theater, there has
been heavy fighting at Oivi, where the Japanese had prepared

for a stand after their hasty retreat across the Gap in the
Owen Stanley Range. Oivi lies on a rugged spur of the
Range, the last to be crossed before the Kokoda-Buna trail
descends to the coastal plain. Thereafter, the only important
natural obstruction is the Kumusi River, location of the much
bombed Wairopi Bridge. On November 10, our forces succeeded not only in occupying Oivi, but in clearing enemy
detachments from the Gorari sector, five miles to the east.
American troops have been landed from air transports on
the Buna side of the Range, and there is every indication that

Chungking Links North Africa to Burma
The United Nations' offensives in North Africa have been
greeted by the Chinese as a heartening sign of rising Allied
strength. The influential Chungking newspaper, Ta Kung
Pao, hailing the American landings in North Africa, declares

its belief that victories in the Mediterranean will have a
beneficial effect on the political and military situation in
India and thus make possible an Allied invasion of Burma.
The Japanese, as if moved by a similar line of reasoning, have

somewhat increased their concentrations near the Assam
border.

the Japanese may now be driven out of this base. The

Japanese have responded to this threat by augmenting their
meager air resources in New Guinea and, according to one
report, by consolidating their defenses in the Lae-Salamaua
area-scene of their initial landings in New Guinea.
16

Koreans in Chungking Strive for Harmony

Quietly, and with little public notice, Korean nationalist
parties have met together in Chungking in the first Korean
all-party "Congress" since 1924. Technically, a meeting
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of the Legislative Yuan of the "Korean Provisional Government," the convention actually includes 23 representatives
of rival parties in addition to the 24 representatives of the

Provisional Government Party. The meeting has been
called in an effort to agree upon a united program for Korea.
Military unity was achieved last May when the Korean Independence Army and the Volunteer Corps, representing the
two major Korean factions, were united under the sponsor-

ship of the Chinese Supreme Military Council. Despite the
unhappy precedent of the 1924 "Congress," which ended in
almost complete disharmony, the present convention hopes
to achieve political unity.

Ministry would probably prove far more responsive than its
predecessor to the wishes of New Delhi.
Cabinet Replacements in Denmark

The change of ministry at Copenhagen on Monday was, on

the surface, a tame and colorless replacement. Vilhelm
Buhl, who had been Premier since the death of Stauning last
spring, retired in favor of Eric Scavenius, Minister of Foreign

Affairs since 1940. Eight members of the Buhl Ministry,

apparently, were carried over into the Scavenius cabinet, four
were dropped, and five new members were added. Not one

of those dropped or added is a political figure of any
magnitude.

India: Barriers to a Compromise

Two recent events in India have indicated once again the
conflict of personalities and programs that still impedes a

settlement. Mr. Jinnah, Moslem League leader and long
advocate of a separate Moslem state, has jibed at the "kite
flying going on in India and abroad" in the form of countless
new schemes to break the Indian deadlock, and has expressed
his regret that many of these schemes overlook the claims of

the Moslems. Apparently, Mr. Jinnah fears that the rising
pressure of public opinion in Britain and the United States
may induce the London government to agree to a settlement
that would not include a prior guarantee of Pakistan.
In Bengal the ministerial crisis has culminated in the resignation of Mookerjee, Minister of Finance and Hindu Mahasabha leader (The War This Week, October 8-15, pp. 13-14).
His withdrawal expresses the Mahasabha's profound dissatisfaction with the policy of repression pursued by the Central

Government. Without Mahasabha support, Fazlul Huq's
Coalition Ministry would no doubt collapse, and might well
be replaced by a Moslem League administration. Such a
18

Yet in the new government's lack of color may lie the clue
to its composition. Scavenius, the self-styled realist, who

still thinks in terms of World War I, is at last the Cabinet
head. Though not pro-Nazi-his aristocratic instincts forbid
that-he is pro-German and collaborationist. Moreover,
he has a distressing way on occasion of circumventing his
colleagues and presenting them with a fait accompli which
they may then not be able to refuse. Doubtless many of the
members of the Buhl Cabinet have accepted him as premier
to hold off outright German control for a while longer. But
some of his new colleagues will surely be little surprised if
they learn that, with or without their knowledge, Scavenius
seeks to yield more to Berlin than they are prepared to do as
responsible ministers.

Observers feel, consequently, that Scavenius' rise will
bring an added turn to Nazi pressure on Denmark. Already
it is rumored that long-standing German demands for the
relinquishing of the submarine fleet, tackling of the "communist" question, and providing of a larger labor supply have

been renewed. Scavenius is unlikely to grant all that the
Germans ask; but he can be expected to yield more than his
predecessors have done.

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APPENDIX I

SHIPPING GAINS AND LOSSES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Axis capacity to evacuate or to reinforce Marshal Rommel's forces will be
limited by a shortage of African port facilities and not by any lack of shipping.
Under the assumption that the Axis is able to acquire all Vichy merchant ships
in the Mediterranean not caught in Algerian ports, the improvement in the Axis
shipping position in the Mediterranean is shown below in Table 1. At the same
time, the Allied invasion of North Africa has made notable additions to United
Nations shipping tonnage.

TABLE I.-Shipping Available to, and Required by, the Azis
(Ships of 1,000 GRT and over)
Non-tanker

Vichy 1

Italy

Total GRT

Port Facilities

How many such ports will be available to Rommel depends, of course, on the
speed of the Afrika Korps' westward retreat, the closeness of British pursuit,
and the eastward progress of American forces. Under the most favorable con-

ditions for the Axis-effective use of all ports in Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, and
Tunisia-only about 150,000 tons of shipping could be discharged per week.
At this rate, it would take one and a half months for the Axis to build up (by
sea) its African forces by the stipulated one panzer and four infantry divisions.
The operation might be carried out in less time if the Axis were sufficiently
equipped with small vessels and barges to enable them to use beaches for landing

Tanker

821.00

144,

750,00

110,0

571,00

Nevertheless, lack of shipping would not prove a limiting factor in the reinforcement of Axis forces in Libya in the next few weeks. The principal limitations will probably be the difficulty of quickly mobilizing the necessary troops
and supplies, and the capacity of those North African ports likely to be left in
Axis hands in the near future.

254,000

operations.

Total

965,000
860,000
1,825,000

Allied Shipping Gains

of ,Tunisia
Excludes all tonnage outside the Mediterrapean or in French North African ports, with the exception

Assumes monthly losses of 60,000 GRT during September and October. Excludes war damage

200,000 GRT. normal repairs of 57,500 GRT, unsuitable vessels totalling 350,000 GRT.

Even if none of the Vichy tonnage laid up in French or Tunisian ports (about
600,000 GRT) is immediately available for service, there would still remain about
one million GRT of Italian and Vichy vessels free elsewhere in the Mediterranean.
A large proportion of this tonnage could be diverted temporarily for either the
reinforcement or the evacuation of Rommel's forces.
Reinforcing Rommel

If we assume that at least one completely equipped panzer division and four
infantry divisions would be a minimum requirement to reinforce Rommel's
depleted Korps, and that these forces are available for shipment to Libya, the
Axis would need some 800,000 GRT to carry out the operation.
This figure must be raised somewhat to take into account losses inflicted by
Allied aircraft and naval units, which should rise considerably over the averages
of previous months. During July and August, 1942, a time when Axis shipping
losses were probably lower than in September and October, about 20 percent of
the total southbound movement of 310,000 GRT to Tobruk, Bengazi, and Tripoli
was sunk. Concentration of shipping routes and congestion in a smaller number
of ports might increase this loss ratio to between 30 and 40 percent.

If Rommel is forced to retreat beyond Benghazi, and if, at the same time, American forces are able to cut off the use of Tunisian ports, the capacity of ports available to Rommel would be reduced to about 50,000 tons per week. In this event,
the time required to build up an effective African force might preclude the possibility of Axis resistance and necessitate evacuation of troops already there.

of

Apart from savings in shipping time by rerouting, Allied occupation of French
North Africa has made the following shipping tonnage potentially available to the
United Nations:
TABLE II.
Non-tanker

Laid-up in North Africa (other than Tunisia)
Trading with North Africa (average number
in Algerian ports)
Outside the Mediterranean
Total GRT

Total

Tanker

110,000

29,000

139,000

30,000
372,000

47,000

30,000
419,000

512,000

76,000

588,000

It is probable that 200,000 GRT in port at the time of occupation is in Allied
hands already. The remainder is cut off from Vichy and can be saved seized only will by

for neutral or French colonial ports. The tonnage actually of

depend running on the attitude of the crews manning vessels at sea, and on the plans

Allies for vessels in French colonial ports. Sabotage may, of course, prevent
immediate the use of the tonnage. On the other hand, some French ships in Vichy
France may have been able and willing to flee to join the Allies.

, Based on data complied in the Economics Division of the Office of Strategic Services
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Saving by Suez

More important than the possession of the seized Vichy tonnage may become
the renewed use of the Mediterranean-Suez Canal route. Savings in tonnage,
while not as spectacular as some press accounts would indicate, would nevertheless be considerable. For example, the same tonnage employed to carry 100,000
tons of cargo from Eastern Atlantic ports of the United States to the Persian Gulf

would carry 130,000 tons via Suez. In other words, only 77 percent of the
shipping necessary to carry the same quantity of cargo around the Cape of Good
Hope would be required by the Suez route. Comparable figures for cargo moving
from England to the Persian Gulf show even greater savings. Shipping required
to carry 100,000 tons on this route can transport 146,000 tons by way of Suez.
Or, for the same cargo, only 67 percent of the former tonnage would be needed.

(3) The eastward-facing Tunisian Lowland.
These three regions are separated from each other by mountain barriers and
inhospitable and steep coasts, which make communication possible only by narrow passes.

Coastal Plains

The principal nerve centers of French North Africa are situated in plains
at the coastal margins of these three regions. Whoever controls these coastal
plains controls North Africa. Vulnerable to sea attack because of the inadequate
French defenses, these nerve centers are, however, protected against land attack
by mountain barriers. Consequently, if sea landings at all of these nerve centers
are not feasible, then control of the few narrow valleys which connect the coastal
plains with the hinterland would immediately become strategically vital.
Communications

APPENDIX II

THE STRATEGIC GEOGRAPHY OF FRENCH NORTH
AFRICA
The Allied invasion of North Africa used the sea-the only practicable avenue
for large scale military attack on that essentially isolated area. The upraised
mass of land that constitutes French North Africa is separated from the Egyptian
border to the east by a thousand miles of desert and steppe land, and from the
French bases in the Sudan on the south by the Sahara Desert. Regional divisions
within French North Africa also favor attack from the sea: the best land and
climate, and the principal resources, population, centers, and communication lines
are located close to the coast. (See map at back.)
Strategically, the French North African sector can be divided into three relatively independent seaward-facing regions and a central plateau region surrounded
by mountains The central plateau forms a giant elevated trough running east
and west through Algeria 1,500 to 4,000 feet above sea-level, sometimes interrupted by mountain chains. Dry, with great alkaline basins, sparsely-settled,
without a single all-weather road traversing its length east and west, the plateau
is of negative significance in the strategy of the current campaign. Southward it
opens by a series of moderately elevated passes through the southern Atlas
Mountains into the still more inhospitable Sahara Desert. To the north, west,
and east, passes lead through the mountains to the more important regions of
French North Africa:
(1) The westward-facing Moroccan Atlantic Region.
(2) The northward-facing Tell Atlas Region, skirting the Maditerranean coast
of Algeria and northern Tunisia.

The only important west-east artery in North Africa consists of a standardgauge, single-track railroad line and a parallel highway from Casablanca to Tunis,
about 1,350 miles. It is this route which any military force will have to follow
to establish land connections between the vital constal plains. A secondary highwhich parallels this main artery from Oran to Tunis, is only of marginal
way, because of its vulnerability to sea attack and to sabotage in the many
where it winds its way by tunnels through the constal
road of secondary importance runs to the
near the line which separates the plateaus from the
importance sections Another artery possible desert. south mountain is strictly of This the ranges. limited road, main
from Agadir through Colomb-Béchar and Touggourt to Gabes,
in its capacity to carry troops-it is in bad condition and transport is handicapped.
Southern Flank
The whole of North Africa is protected from the south by the Sahara desert Desert, is

which probably furnishes a more adequate barrier than an ocean. The (French
three routes: (1) Dakar to Agadir (1837 miles); (2) Gao
Colomb-Béchar (1405 miles); (3) Zinder to Laghouat
size would be able to cross this desert region against even

The of water and the complete lack of supplies on
would slow any column to such a degree that its chances of Without an the
raid up on North Africa would be practically non-existent. which

crossed Sudan) force defenses. of to by any only scarcity making (1980 miles). these limited effective routes No air

surprise element of surprise, the attacking force would be unable to reach an area

could furnish sufficient supplies for a continuation of the campaign.

Tunisia is probably more vulnerable to sea attack than any other part is difficult of North to

Tunisia low coastal plain, stretching from Bizerte to Gabes, of

Africa. defend, and Its once a landing is made, the hinterland is easily penetrable by way
1 Based
on memorands prepared in the African Section and the Geographic Division of the Office of Stra.
tegle
Services

parallel valleys running east to west.
strategically important part of Tunisia, however, is the northern of the capital, region.

The of the population is concentrated in the neighborhood fertile
22

There Tunis most (population about 220,000), and in the Medjerda valley-an area

and enjoying comparatively abundant rain.

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In central towns and southern Tunisia, strategically important places include
coastaldefenses
of Sousse
and Sfax,
whose hinterland is an arid plateau with few the
natural
toward
the west.

The paved Italian strategic highway from the east gives access to

Tunisia. Until the signing of the Armistice of 1940, this route of southern

installation of new sidings or double track sections. Moreover, possible damage
to power plants may interfere with transport on the electrified sections of the
railroad in Morocco and Algeria. Adequate replacements of steam locomotives
are not available.

Highway transport will probably be limited to light trucks. Although the

defended by the French Mareth line, which dominated the narrow coastal entry was

main North African roads can be considered good, they would probably not stand

between Gabès and Médenine, The Axis Armistice Commissions are, however, corridor
Line. reported to have supervised the complete dismantlement of this African Maginot

up under constant heavy trucking. Moreover, the winding course of these
highways and the frequently steep grades make it difficult to maintain, even for

Even at the present time, this corridor represents the main defense
for southern Tunisia-to the north of it stretch only vast open plains, with line no
defensible position which could not readily be outflanked

passenger cars, a 30-mile-an-hour average.

Supplies

Such transport would require the importation of practically all the requisite
trucks, which thereupon would require fuel and lubricants from outside the
country. Spare parts, servicing facilities, as well as motor mechanics, would

Any plan of campaign in North Africa must take into consideration not only
the natural difficulties of occupation, but also the limited resources of the

also have to be brought into the country, whose mountainous character and heat
will undoubtedly mean much repair work.
In sum, the occupation of North Africa will raise important future problems

ations. This latter factor also bears on the usefulness of Algeria as a base for future oper- area.

of supply.

(1) Food: In general, only the five coastal plains of Casablanca, Oran, Algiers,
Bone, and Tunis offer small or specialized surpluses of food for the occupying

Climate

troops. In Algeria, the interior and especially the Cheli Valley, are the main
sources of the North African meat and wheat supply. The desert regions are
deficient in everything except dates. This separation of types of agriculture
results in regional interdependence and consequent reliance on transport. For
this reason the main roads and railroads run northward, connecting the Algerian
plateau and the coastal regions.

(2) Water: Water presents a serious problem in all but the coastal regions.
The installation of even one division in the high plateaus or in the desert would
necessitate careful consideration of the availability of water, since, in many
localities, the existing wells and small springs are capable of supporting only the
present population. In some of the coastal regions water shortages may also
occur during the summer months. Along the southern part of the PhilippevilleTouggourt route, however, artesian wells have an abundant flow.
(3) Housing: Except in the large cities-and in these to a limited extent-the
housing of even 10,000 men in one region would present a serious problem. In
many areas the supply of sawn wood for the construction of temporary barracks
is practically non-existent, and climatic conditions in all regions would make
camp life for any considerable period of time very difficult and unpleasant. In
existent. the interior, billeting facilities for American soldiers are again practically non-

(4) Supply Routes: The railway system of North Africa is single-tracked except
for short sections about Oran, Orleansville, Algiers, and Constantine. Its steep
grades and sharp curves, its many tunnels and high bridges restrict its capacity.
Its rolling stock is reported to have deteriorated greatly since the Armistice of
1940. Since
that time the road has depended for nearly half of its coal supply on
imports
from France.

To put this railroad in condition for any large scale transport of heavy equipment would require reconditioning of rolling stock and track, as well as the
24

(a) Rainfall.-The climate of French North Africa closely resembles that of
California. Rainfall is concentrated in the cool season; the summer is dry. In
the coastal areas, where United States troops are now establishing themselves, the

rainy season has been under way for a month, and will continue well into May.
Rainy spells and clear sunny weather alternate throughout the winter, with
sunny days twice as numerous as rainy days. During and shortly after each
rainstorm, the soil is muddy and sticky, impeding traffic except on surfaced roads.
When the rainfall is particularly concentrated, or when snows melt rapidly in
the spring, the streams which flow down from the mountains may become formidable torrents, and portions of the low-lying coastal plains may be seriously flooded

by the swollen rivers.
November is the rainiest month along both the Moroccan Atlantic and the
Tunisian coasts. Along the north coast of Algeria, the peak of rainfall usually
comes near midwinter, in December or January.
(b) Visibility.-Along the Mediterranean coast of Algeria and Tunis, winter is
nearly fog-free. Algiers has fog on less than two days per year on the average.
Westward from Algiers fogginess increases, but even Oran expects less than one
day of fog per month in the fall and winter.

(c) eat.-Winter is far better than summer for intense physical exertion in
French North Africa. The coastal temperature from the middle of November and to
the end of March averages about 55° F., with a mean daily maximum of 65
minimum of 45°. Along the coast the temperature very seldom touches freezing,
although a few miles inland frosts are frequent from December to March. the
In the summer dry season, the average daily temperature along coast the dry is

70° or 75°, the inland plateau, around 80° or 90°. In addition, often
around season is subject to visitations of the sirocco, a suffocating hot, dry and wind, Tunisia,

accompanied by clouds and dust, blowing from the south into Algeria the plateaus,
from the southeast into Morocco. The sirocco is most frequent on
although even along the north coast it blows on about 20 days per year.
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APPENDIX III

SIGNIFICANCE TO GERMANY OF NORTH AFRICAN
IMPORTS 1

Textiles

Fertilizers

European agriculture is now consuming phosphatic fertilizers at a rate of less

than 50 percent of the pre-war level. Of the total quantity utilized in Axis
Europe now (some 750,000 tons a year), about one-half came from North African

For use in the year 1942-43, it has been estimated that Germany would have
received about 5,000 tons of cotton and 10,000 tons of wool and animal hair from
African trade across the Mediterranean. The bulk of these raw materials would

have come from North Africa, although significant quantities of cotton from
French West Africa formerly made their way to Germany via France, and have
been included in the above figures. These quantities would have represented
about 25 percent of the total German supplies of these fibers estimated to be available for the year 1942-43.

Apparently, Germany has already received practically all of the 5,000 tons of
cotton she expected from Africa for 1942-43. Of the 10,000 tons of wool and
animal hair expected, some 6,000 tons have already been received. The loss of
anticipated shipments for the year 1942-43, therefore, is approximately 4,000
tons of wool and animal hair.

The deficiency in wool and animal hair will impinge directly upon military
supplies of textiles, since it is to this use that practically all these fibers are devoted.
Substitution will have to be made of less adequate synthetic materials. This will
reduce supplies for civilians; but the reduction is not appreciable, since practically
all civilian textiles were already being made from synthetic fibers. In subsequent
years, however, the loss of all African shipments will definitely affect Germany's

ability to carry on military efforts on the scale of 1941-42.
Foodstuffs

phosphate rock. It is unlikely that substitutes can be found. A further reduction in the rate of fertilizer application will ensue. Within the following years,
this factor can be expected to have appreciable effects upon agricultural yields.
Minerals

In addition to phosphate rock, North Africa exported to Europe significant
quantities of Moroccan cobalt before the war. Germany expected to obtain about
130 tons of cobalt (metal content) during the last year, or about 25 percent of her
needs. What amount has actually reached Germany is not known. Potentially,
however, Morocco's cobalt output, if stepped up to the pre-war level of 1938, could
have satisfied all of Germany's requirements. As cobalt has double uses as either
ferro-alloy (its properties are even more valuable than nickel) or as a catalyst in
an & important synthetic gasoline process, the subtraction of the North African supply
from the Axis economy may further inconvenience the production of cutting tools
and synthetic gasoline.
French North Africa produced considerable quantities of high-grade iron ore
pre-war times, but little went to Germany. As for coal, North Africa has had
in to operate at a deficit. Though production-which is centered on the MoroccanAlgerian border-has increased greatly since 1940, it is still far from sufficient will to
meet transportation and power requirements. At least 500,000 metric tons
probably have to be imported during the coming year to maintain the economy.

A. Grains.-Germany expected to import about 200,000 tons of wheat from
Africa via France during the current year. To date only about 80,000 tons are
known to have been received. Corresponding expectations for barley were in the
neighborhood of 100,000 tons. Some 30,000 tons are known to have been received.

APPENDIX IV

B. Meats.-Smal quantities of meats-about 8,000 tons-were expected from
Africa for the current year. It is believed that 6,000 tons have already been
received

GENERAL HENRI HONORÉ GIRAUD

C. Fats and Oils.-From Africa (including French West Africa) Germany was
expecting to receive at least 60,000 tons of vegetable oils. Conceivably, as many
as 100,000 tons could have been obtained. It is known that Germany has

received only about 15,000 tons to date.

D. Fruits and Vegetables. Africa was a very important source of these
commodities for Germany. It was expected that she would receive some 300,000
tons of various kinds of fruits and vegetables for the year 1942-43. Only a small
percentage (roughly 10 percent) of these has already arrived.
The loss of North African sources will certainly affect the German food position
adversely, particularly with respect to fats and oils, and fruits and vegetables.
In both cases, the quantities involved represent appreciable percentages of total
supplies available to Germany.

Eisenhower has delegated to General Henri Honoré Giraud responsi- The
General "for military and civil affairs in the French North Africa Area". and I under-

bility General is quoted as saying of his French colleague: "He issued by
stand American each other perfectly." The terms of a special communiqué organize the

Eisenhower recognized that General Giraud's function is "to of Germany
General French again to take up the fight", with a view to "the defeat communiqué adds:

Army and the liberation of France and her empire". The and equipment
and "The Italy United States has pledged itself to assist in providing arms

for this new French Army."
Giraud's Background
which Giraud organizes will undoubtedly be a he force possesses to be
reckoned The French with. army Giraud himself is an unusually distinguished soldier;

I Based on a memorandum prepared in the Economics Division of the Office of Strategic Services,
26

1 Prepared in the Western European Section of the Office of Strategic Services.

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an unparalleled
throughout
France.knowledge of French Africa: and he is dramatically popular
General Giraud was educated as an infantry officer at St. Cyr. During the
Great War, he fought in Champagne with great courage and distinction. In
the recapture of the famous Malmaison Fort, he was left on the field for dead;
but he survived as a prisoner in the hands of the Germans. At the outbreak of
war in 1939, Giraud assumed command of the Eighth Army Corps. In May of
1940, he led his forces to the aid of Belgium. After advancing through Brabant
as far as the Dutch border, he was called to the French right wing, to rally General
Corap's army. He made his way to the front lines only to be surrounded and
captured by the Germans.
Between graduation from St. Cyr and the outbreak of the Great War, General
Giraud saw much service in the French colonies. His activities were especially
associated with Morocco, where he was known as one of Lyautey's "young men."
After the Armistice of 1918, Giraud returned to Morocco, he played a prominent
part in the
suppression
of the
Riff revolt, and later succeeded Lyautey as commander
of the
French forces
there.
Escape From the Germans

While Giraud was a prisoner during World War I, he made, it is said, five
attempts to escape before being successful in rejoining his unit, In April of the
present year, world-wide interest was aroused by the report that he had again
escaped from the Germans. The Nazis resorted to various tactics in the effort to
obtain his return to the fortress-town of Königstein, where he had been previously
interned. Giraud, however, was successful in resisting attempts to secure his
surrender. He is reported to have remained in retirement at his sister's home
near Lyons, until he appeared in Algiers to assume his present responsibilities.
In a moving letter to his children, which recently was confidentially circulated,
General Giraud urged his sons and daughters, in the event of his death, to work

untiringly for the liberation and reconstruction of France. "I forbid you," he
wrote, "to resign yourselves to defeat. The method used does not matter. The
goal alone is essential. Everything else must come after
We should be
ready at all moments to take advantage of the opportunities that will be offered
us."

28
. s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1948

EDITION

FRENCH

NORTHWEST

PRIMARY ROAD

SECONDARY ROAD

O

hand

AFRICA

RAILROAD (Standard Gauge)

SHOTT (Temporary Lake)

RAILROAD (Norrow Gouge)

ALLIED ATTACK

CAPTURED AIRFIELD

SPAIN

A T L ANTIC
OCEAN

N