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213874958
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Letter from Donald W. Nelson to President Franklin D. Roosevelt
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213874958
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document
title
Letter from Donald W. Nelson to President Franklin D. Roosevelt
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President's Secretary's Files (Truman Administration)
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213874958
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20
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1945-03-20
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3
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1945
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nara-archive
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Street
March 20, 1945
Dear Mr. Presidents
I was deeply impressed by remarks you made to me sone weeks ago about the
importance of putting the peoples of the war-torn countries to work - helping them
to increase their production and rehabilitate themselves, relying as little as
possible on foreign relief.
Viewed in this light, the situation of Greece strikes me as especially worthy
of attention. This nation, which certainly deserves well at the hands of the great
powers, is suffering from critical shortages of goods, many of which could be pro-
duced within Greece itself; while other goods could be obtained by normal trade
methods and paid for by Greek exports, once production had been revived. I think it
is safe to say that many of Greece's political difficulties have roots in her present
productive weakness, and could be resolved by an upsurge in production.
The United States and her chief allies are in a position to develop the pro-
ductive power of Greece rapidly by concerted, non-political action. As a test case
of what can be done through such action, Greece affords an exceptional opportunity.
I propose that a mission -- preferably a joint American, British and Russian mission,
consisting of top production men - be sent to Greece at the earliest moment to study
the situation and advise the Greek government on ways of getting bigger production
from existing facilities.
My experience with the British Minister of Production, Mr. Oliver Lyttelton,
and the People's Commissar for Foreign Trade of the U.S.S.R., Mr. Mikoyan, convinces
me that men of this type would be admirably suited to work with Americans on the Greek
production problem. I believe that a mission of this kind could aid Greece as your
American production mission has aided China. The accessibility of Greece, and her
western institutions should make the problem there less difficult than in China.
As I see it, many important consequences would flow from success in restoring
and increasing the productivity of the Greek people. Concrete proof of the desire
and the ability of the great powers to help a friendly nation work out its problen
of earning a living, without infringing its sovereignty or self-respect, would have
a highly constructive effect on world opinion, adding to the impact of Yalta and
San Francisco. Snall nations everywhere would take renewed hope, while American
prestige and influence would be further strengthened.
May I have the early opportunity of discussing this matter with you?
Sincerely,
ARCB SERVICE comps (CONA) VESTAND
(Signed) Denald M. Nelson
The President
the
Donald M. Nelson
The Whit te House
Handed to miss Fulley by miss Thouston 3/20/16