that the Government of the United States would view with particular gratification favorable action by the Bulgarian Government on the following points brought up by the Serbian Government: 1. To furnish the Serbian Government with full lists of Serbian prisoners of war and civilians in Bulgaria, whether alive or dead. 2. To permit the representatives of neutral states or societies to visit from time to time the prison camps in Bulgaria where Serbian nationals are held. 3. To permit the forwarding of material assistance to Serbian prisoners and the control of the distribution of this assistance by neutral representatives. I am [etc.] For the Secretary of State: WILBUR J. CARR File No. 872.48/173 The Special Agent in Corfu (Dodge) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] CORFU, June 24, 1918, 4 p. m. Note from the Minister of Finance states that a considerable por tion of the funds placed from the American advances at the disposal of the American Red Cross for Servia relief purchases, has not been expended owing to want of tonnage, and desires me earnestly to request my Government to increase, as much as possible, tonnage for this purpose. Larger purchases by the American Red Cross are now required on account of the increasing difficulty of purchasing foodstuff in France, where hitherto about $70,000 worth monthly purchased for prisoners, and also so as to constitute stock at Berne to provide against interrupting distribution of Servia section there. DODGE File No. 811.142/3836 The Special Agent in Corfu (Dodge) to the Secretary of State No. 76 CORFU, May 29, 1918. [Received July 1.] SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the Serbian Agricultural Unit of the American Red Cross arrived at Corfu on the 21st instant and left on the 25th instant en route for Salonica via Valona and Argyro-Castro. The Unit was composed of Maj. Francis Jager and of Capts. Caryl B. Storrs, S. R. Moffett, D. S. M. Jager and Coates P. Bull. Upon their arrival they called at the Legation and I presented them to Mr. Yankovitch, Serbian Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, with whom and the principal officials of his Ministry they subsequently had several conferences. At these the whole plan of work of the Unit was carefully examined and, I am informed, cordially approved by Mr. Yankovitch. Major Jager furnished Mr. Yankovitch and myself with copies of a list of agricultural implements and supplies which the Unit were expecting soon to receive at Salonica. During their stay at Corfu the Unit was shown every attention by the Serbian Government. They were invited to take all their meals at the hotel occupied by the Serbian Government; a dinner was given in their honor presided over by the Ministers of Agriculture and of Public Works and finally they were taken in the Government automobiles to one of the most beautiful spots of the island where they were given a large collation. Mr. Yankovitch and several of the other Ministers expressed to the Unit, and desired me to express also to my Government, their sincerest gratitude for this mission and its ample supply of implements which they considered to be a further proof of the friendship of the United States for Serbia and of inestimable value especially at the present moment not only to assist agricultural production but as an encouragement to the Serbian people. The official Srpské Noviné has published a very flattering notice of the Unit and a summary of the supplies which they are bringing. I was also able to obtain for the Unit, at their request and through the courtesy of the Italian military authorities here, permission for them to visit the Italian agronomic stations at Barbato, Corfu, and at Valona. The Unit were conveyed to these stations as guests of the Italian authorities, all automobiles, lodgings, etc., being provided for them. I have [etc.] File No. 872.48/175 H. PERCIVAL DODGE The Secretary of State to the Special Agent in Corfu (Dodge) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, July 9, 1918, 5 p. m. Your June 24, 4 p. m. American Red Cross has purchased all supplies for Serbian prisoners under direction of Serbian Minister. At one time it had purchased supplies considerably in excess of money which Serbian Minister had placed in its hands. At present time has no money on deposit for account of Serbian Government. Serbian Minister has requested his Government for authorization to place additional money to credit of Red Cross for purchase additional supplies. LANSING File No. 872.48/177 The Acting Secretary of State to the Special Agent in Corfu (Dodge) [Telegram] From Treasury Department: WASHINGTON, July 16, 1918, 3 p. m. Advised by American Red Cross that Serbian Relief purchases have not been curtailed because of insufficient tonnage and all requirements made by Serbian Minister for foodstuff were promptly taken care of. In very near future further lot of supplies to be shipped weight of which approximates 2,100 tons, and it is expected that ample provision will be made for this space. POLK File No. 763.72114/3857 The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, August 1, 1918, 10.37 p. m. 2379. For Sofia: Inform Bulgarian Government that Government of the United States is advised by Serbian Government that Dutch Minister, Sofia, in charge of Serbian interests, is allowed no direct relations between Serbian prisoners and interned civilians and that all funds sent Serbian Government from American advances either directly to occupied Serbia or the Dutch Minister, may be distributed only by Bulgarian Red Cross and to Serbians whom Bulgarian Government considers worthy of relief. Serbian Government consequently is reluctantly compelled to stop all remittances to Bulgaria and Bulgarian-occupied Serbia. In view of the foregoing and on the grounds of its interest in Serbian relief matters, Government of the United States is requested by Serbian Government to invite earnest consideration by Bulgarian Government of serious consequences of its present attitude in preventing Serbian Government and Dutch Minister from assisting Serbian prisoners and in refusing all information concerning them. POLK File No. 763.72114/3991 The Special Agent in Corfu (Dodge) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] CORFU, September 8, 1918, 9 a. m. [Received September 9, 3.10 a. m.] Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs requests me to inform you Dutch Minister, Sofia, is unable to obtain authorization Bulgarian Government to distribute relief supplies to be sent Servian prisoners and interned. Inquires whether the Government of the United States is willing to instruct American representative at Sofia to receive and distribute supplies, believing he could readily obtain authorization Bulgarian Government and that, as sending supplies to Bulgaria is a new matter and all are purchased with American funds, this will not be considered discourteous by Dutch Government. The last reports state Servian prisoners greatly in need of supplies. Leaving for Nice 9th. Your cipher telegram there is being repeated. DODGE File No. 763.72114/3991 The Secretary of State to the Special Agent in Corfu (Dodge) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, September 12, 1918. 6 p. m. Your September 8, 9 a. m. Department cannot intrust American representative, Sofia, as desired without further information regarding proposal of Serbian Government to send relief supplies to Serbian prisoners and interned civilians in Bulgaria. Where are supplies to be purchased and in what quantity, and through what channel are they to be sent? Are they to go in bulk or in individual packages? LANSING File No. 763.72114/4067 The Special Agent in Corfu (Dodge), Temporarily at Nice, to the Secretary of State [Telegram] NICE, October 5, 1918, 10 a. m. [Received 5.15 p. m.] Your September 12, 6 p. m. Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs telegraphs relief supplies which it is desired the American representative, Sofia, should distribute are a portion of those purchased by the American Red Cross from the American advances to Servia and shipped from time to time to Berne and sent hitherto only to Servian prisoners in Germany and Austria. Shipments would be made like those to Austria by the Servian section, Berne, in bulk to the American representative at the rate of about 450,000 kilos monthly for about 50,000 prisoners and interned civilians in Bulgaria. Minister for Foreign Affairs also inquired whether, if the Servian Government furnishes it with sufficient funds from the American advances, the American Red Cross would increase its present pur chases and guarantee purchase and monthly shipment to Marseilles or Cette for reshipment to Berne of altogether 2,500 tons of foodstuff and clothing which would be specified and would be sufficient for all prisoners and interned civilians in Germany, Austria, and Bulgaria. Present purchases in Europe with American advances, which are becoming much more difficult and expensive, could then be discontinued. DODGE File No. 763.72114/4122 The Consul General at Sofia (Murphy) to the Secretary of State No. 267 SOFIA, September 14, 1918. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt on the 30th ultimo, of instruction No. 145, of June 14 last, concerning the condition of Serbian prisoners of war and interned Serbian civilians in Bulgaria-and enclosing text of a memorial from the Serbian Government in relation thereto. As instructed, I handed a note to the Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 6th ultimo, copy of which is hereto attached.1 The Royal Ministry responded by note verbale, No. 7522, of the 9th instant, translation of which is likewise attached. Referring to the declaration in the memorial that the Serbian Government was unable to send any help to its prisoners in Bulgaria, it must be said that it is not borne out by the facts, which in the interests of truth, I feel compelled to present to the Department. The Minister of the Netherlands in Sofia, Mr. R. Melvill van Carnbee, has been provided by the Serbian Government with funds for the relief of its prisoners in Bulgaria-but whether sufficient for their needs is beyond my knowledge. The Netherlands Consul at Philippopolis, Mr. Slavtcho Caltcheff, has been since 1916 very active in visiting Serbians interned in various places in southern Bulgaria and affording them relief. He holds permit from the Minister of War, No. 8376, of the 27th December 1917, allowing him to visit at his pleasure Serbian prisoners at any place in Bulgaria where they are interned. From Mr. Caltcheff, whose books were freely offered for my inspection, I learned that he began a system of relief in February 1916, which he has ever since continued. He has particular charge of Serbian prisoners in southern Bulgaria, frequently visiting the camps where they are interned, at Philippopolis, Stara-Zagora, 1Not printed. |