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MOST SECRETSeptember 17, 1941 TO: AMEMBASSY


 * LONDON


 * FOR THE FORMER NAVAL PERSON FROM THE PRESIDENT

FOR YOUR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION I HELD A PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE ON TANK PRODUCTIOn THIS MORNING. PRESENT PRODUCTION SCHEDULE IS COMING ALONG VERY WELL AND GOES UP EACH MONTH UNTIL IT REACHES 1400 A MONTH IN MAY 1942. I AM MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO ACCELERATE THIS RATE BUT MORE IMPORTANT I AM GOING TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM WHICH I HOPE WILL DOUBLE THIS MONTHLY CAPACITY AND GET OUR FULL TANK CAPACITY OF TO A MINIMUM OF 2500 A MONTH AND A MAXIMUM OF 3000 A MONTH. AS SOON AS I CAN HOLD A FURTHER CONFERENCE WITH THE ARMY ON MONDAY OR TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK I WILL CABLE THE EXACT NUMBERS OF TANKS WHICH CAN BE EXPORTED FROM THIS COUNTRY EACH MONTH BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 1, 1941 THROUGH JUNE 1942. THE NUMBER WILL BE SUBSTANTIAL AND I THINK NOT A DISCOURAGING ONE FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF OUR TWO MISSIONS GOING TO MOSCOW.


 * YOU HAVE UNDOUBTEDLY BEEN ADVISED BY THE ADMIRALTY THAT THE TRANSPORT PLAN HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

REGRADED

UNCLASSIFIED