August 30, 1945

United Nations Review

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:

I am transmitting herewith the twentieth report of operations under the Lend-Lease Act for the period ended June 30, 1945.

The costliest, bloodiest and most destructive war in history has resulted in victory for the cause of decency. All peace-loving men are resolved and determined that the peace and freedom we have won at such- tremendous sacrifices shall be preserved.

With the defeat of the Axis powers, whose ruthless plan for world conquest and enslavement came so close to succeeding, the United States has realized the major objective for which lend-lease aid has been extended. That objective, like the objective of our war effort as a whole, was the speeding of victory and the saving of American and other Allied lives. Lend-lease and reverse-lend-lease helped to unite in a mighty and victorious fighting partnership the separate efforts of the combination of nations resisting the Axis aggressors

Each of our principal fighting partners has contributed to the pool of armed might in accordance with its full abilities and capacities.

The great task of lend-lease has now ended. The programs of lend-lease to our Allies are being terminated in an expeditious and orderly manner, subject to military needs for the movement of troops or for occupation purposes.

The United States is assisting in the relief and reconstruction of the war-torn areas of our Allies and in the establishment of world trade on the high level necessary to insure full and useful employment and production at home and abroad.

To win the lasting peace for which we and our Allies have so bitterly and bloodily fought, we and the other United Nations are firmly resolved to establish in concert the political and economic conditions which are the foundation of freedom and welfare among the nations of the earth.

HARRY S. TRUMAN
THE WHITE HOUSE,
August 30, 1945