No. 658 of December 28, 1917,1 and No. 18 of January 4, 1918,1 on the subject of financial assistance for the relief of Polish refugees in Russia. Information has now been received from the Foreign Office to the effect that great distress now prevails among the refugees, and that the refugee organization which is now in existence will soon be compelled to cease its operations unless it is possible for it to receive financial assistance from the Allies. His Majesty's Government are therefore anxious to learn whether the United States Government now consider that it would be possible for them to join in opening a credit for the relief of these refugees in Russia. WASHINGTON, May 21, 1918. [Received May 23.] File No. 860c.48/59 The Secretary of State to the Joint Distribution Committee WASHINGTON, June 3, 1918. GENTLEMEN: The Department regrets to inform you that it has received unfavorable replies from the American Legations at The Hague, Berne, Copenhagen and Stockholm, regarding the forwarding from those countries to Poland, of clothing purchased in Holland, Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden, respectively. In view of the scarcity of clothing in those countries, there appears to be no immediate possibility of obtaining the permission of the local authorities for the exportation of wearing apparel to Poland. Your check for $15,000 is therefore returned herewith. I am [etc.] For the Secretary of State: File No. 860c.48/84f The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in the Netherlands (Garrett) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, June 5, 1918, 3 p. m. 1393. Inform authorities and Relief Committee all receipt forms for relief moneys must bear indications that such moneys come from United States. 1 Not printed. 2 See Department's telegram of Mar. 21, ante, p. 529. POLK File No. 861.48/597 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] VOLOGDA, June 2, 1918, 6 p. m. 237. Answering your [May] 13, unnumbered [No. 121], which was referred to American Consul, Petrograd, and Red Cross; both replies confirm my impression, which is that further Lithuanian relief from America inadvisable because if not appropriated by Germans would relieve Germany from responsibility. Therefore, I advise all remittances be prohibited unless satisfactory proof given that same available solely for sufferers, who, furthermore, should not pay remittances to German agents. Colton here reports his secretaries are aiding exchange of Russian prisoners; that half of those exchanged are tuberculous subjects, and all are deprived of overcoats and everything except most scanty clothing before crossing line. Such exchanged prisoners are energetic anti-German propagandists and are decidedly anti-Bolshevik, asserting that if Bolsheviks had not gained control and prevented Russia from performing her part war would be now ended. FRANCIS File No. 860c.48/62 The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) [Telegram] 2278. For Dresel from Hoover: WASHINGTON, July 12, 1918. United States Food Administration is glad to be able to place condensed milk in large amounts at your disposal for children in Poland subject to control of consumption by denominated classes and to confirmation by Associated Governments. We assume that you have perfected financial arrangements; or is it your intention to have these secured through Polish representatives here? A. E. Taylor. LANSING File No. 861.48/631 The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] LONDON, August 30, 1918, 5 p. m. 1490. The Foreign Office inform me that Count Sobanski, representative in England of Polish National Committee, has requested 1Ethan T. Colton, Chief of the Y.M.C.A. Mission to Russia. facilities for the monthly shipment of 6,000 boxes condensed milk to Poland which has been authorized, he says, by the American Government through Hoover's intervention. It is proposed that this milk be exported from the United States via Switzerland to Warsaw for distribution to Polish children under control of Swiss Red Cross Association. In supporting this, Count Sobanski refers to the customary condensed milk consignment which he states was sent last winter by the American Red Cross to Warsaw and distributed there by Polish Central Relief Committee. British Government still maintain attitude expressed in their two notes, the first of which is summarized in my telegram No. 7587, November 2, 5 p. m.,1 and copy of the second was transmitted in my despatch No. 7746 of December 10, 1917.1 While disapproving of such relief they wish, before replying to Count Sobanski's foregoing proposal, to learn the views of the United States Government regarding it. PAGE File No. 860c.48/51 The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, September 20, 1918, 6 p. m. 2758. Your 3392, May 16, 2 p. m. Ascertain and report whether (1) Swiss Government would, with the consent of the German Government, send one or more Swiss officials into Poland to supervise the distribution and effective control by the local Polish committees of a shipment of condensed or evaporated milk from the United States for the Polish babies and small children in Warsaw and other large urban communities in Poland; (2) whether Swiss Government believes it could obtain from German Government effective guarantees that this shipment would not be interfered with or requisitioned either in whole or in part by the German authorities; and (3) whether Swiss Government can suggest any arrangement whereby the destruction of the containers after use by the Polish recipients can be assured to prevent utilization of the tin therein. The proposal of this Government to send this milk into Poland is contingent, first, upon satisfactory replies from the Swiss and German Governments, and, second, upon the possibility of making 'Not printed; see British Ambassador's memorandum No. 453, Nov. 2, 1917, ante, p. 517. satisfactory arrangements with the Shipping Board for its transportation to a Mediterranean port. You may advise the Polish Committee in Vevey of the steps taken. LANSING File No. 860c.48/141 The Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] BERNE, October 4, 1918, noon. 5036. Department's 2758, September 20, 6 p. m. Swiss Government shows great interest and desires to cooperate and has asked German Government for all guarantees outlined. Difficulty is, however, foreseen as to destruction of tin containers. Please inform me whether it is not practicable to ship the milk in paper containers such as I understand are prescribed by New Jersey law. STOVALL File No. 860c.48/60 The Department of State to the British Embassy MEMORANDUM The Department of State presents its compliments to the British Embassy and has the honor to acknowledge receipt of its memorandum dated May 21 last, with reference to certain information received from the British Foreign Office to the effect that great distress prevails among the Polish refugees in Russia and that the refugee organization then in existence would soon be compelled to cease its operations unless it were possible to receive financial assistance from the Allies. In reply to the inquiry of the British Government as to whether the United States Government considers that it would be possible for it to join in opening a credit for the relief of these refugees in Russia, the Department of State desires to say that the Government of the United States concurs in the opinion that an Allied credit should be opened for the relief of these refugees but deems the undertaking inadvisable at present because of the lack of effective responsible organizations for the distribution of relief funds. When, however, governmental and military conditions become such as to permit of the establishment of an effective organization to carry out the matter in accordance with the aims of the Allies, the Department of State will again address the British Embassy on the subject. WASHINGTON, October 10, 1918. File No. 860c.48/146 The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, October 22, 1918, 7 p. m. 3181. Your 5036. Red Cross advises that milk could be forwarded in powdered form in paper-lined wooden cases. LANSING File No. 860c.48/153 The British Chargé (Barclay) to the Secretary of State No. 1207 WASHINGTON, October 31, 1918. [Received November 1.] SIR: I have the honour to inform you, by direction of my Government, that a request has been made for facilities for the monthly despatch of one carload (approximately 20 tons) of condensed milk to Poland. It is proposed to send the milk, which would be provided as a gift from the American Red Cross, from Switzerland to Warsaw for distribution among the children of that city and Lodz. His Majesty's Government are unable to regard this proposal favourably, since they consider that, so long as Poland is occupied by the enemy and its resources are utilized by them, the enemy would receive direct or indirect benefit by being relieved of a portion of their obligations towards the population of that country. Also, in view of the fact that it would be necessary for any supplies sent to pass through enemy territory, and that it would be useless to attempt to obtain any satisfactory guarantees from the enemy that such supplies would not be requisitioned or diverted, His Majesty's Government think it most improbable that the milk would reach the persons for whom it was intended. I am directed to enquire whether the United States Government are in agreement with the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards this proposal. His Majesty's Government are also enquiring the views of the French and Italian Governments on the subject. I have [etc.] COLVILLE BARCLAY File No. 860c.48/153 No. 313 The Secretary of State to the British Chargé (Barclay) WASHINGTON, November 14, 1918. SIR: I have the honor to refer to your note of October 31, 1918, No. 1207, regarding the forwarding, as the gift of the American Red Cross, of certain condensed milk to Poland and have taken note of the objections which your Government entertains to such pro |