U.S. State Department (December 21, 1943)
The President to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union
Washington, 21 December 1943
Secret
Priority
For Ambassador Harriman from the President. Repeated to Prime Minister
Referring to your message [Alusna Moscow 201719 December] it is my intention that Italian surrendered ships to a number of one-third of the total be allocated to the Soviet war effort as rapidly as they can be made available from their present employment in the Allied war effort commencing about February 1.
Title of ownership to be decided after the surrender of our common enemies.
I have requested combined Chiefs of Staff to issue necessary orders to General Eisenhower.
ROOSEVELT