VIII. MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS-Continued STATUS IN AMERICAN PORTS OF SHIPS OWNED OR REQUISITIONED BY FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS AND ENGAGED IN COMMERCE VIII. MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS-Continued AMERICAN-ITALIAN PROTOCOL RELATIVE TO RADIO SERVICE 384 Subject Advisability of convention be- Feb. 14 To the Italian Am- Two changes proposed in draft protocol for regulation of U.S.- Page 844 845 bassador I PRISONERS OF WAR TREATMENT OF PRISONERS OF WAR File No. 811.712/69 The Postmaster General (Burleson) to the Secretary of State WASHINGTON, May 15, 1917. [Received May 16.] SIR: Referring to this Department's letter of the 9th ultimo,1 transmitting a copy of the Daily Bulletin of this Department containing the Postmaster General's Order No. 211 of the 7th ultimo,2 suspending mail service for and via Germany, I have the honor to transmit herewith for the information of your Department a copy of the Daily Bulletin of the Department containing the Postmaster General's Order No. 331 of today's date, giving notice that the provisions of Order No. 211 are not to be understood as applying to mail for or from prisoners of war. By direction of the Postmaster General: Very respectfully, A. A. FISHER Acting Second Assistant Postmaster General cile No. 763.72114/2712b The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, May 29, 1917, 7 p. m. 616. Please report exactly what is being done from Berne in relief of American prisoners in Germany. It would appear from a telegram from Stockholm from Harte of the Y.M.C.A. that he is forwarding parcels fortnightly to prisoners. This perhaps is desirable until a complete relief organization is established by you, when the entire question of relieving the needs of American prisoners should be directed by you under advice from the Department and with the 1 Not printed. 2 Post, p. 412. 59665-33--1 1 American Red Cross and Berne Aid Society cooperating. Does this meet with your views? Red Cross here could forward parcels from the United States to Berne Aid Society if food is difficult to obtain in Switzerland, and, since there is no parcel-post service between the United States and Switzerland, Red Cross propose temporarily at least to send parcels to American clearing house at Paris for reforwarding. Please formulate and forward as soon as possible to Department general plan, having in mind that number of prisoners may be greatly increased when United States forces are sent to the French front. LANSING File No. 763.72114/2715 The Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] BERNE, June 2, 1917, 5 p. m. 991. Your 616, May 29. Have despatched through Comité Bernois, a Swiss organization assisting prisoners of different nationalities, a package to each man containing shirt, underclothing, socks, various food supplies including meat, vegetables, chocolate, coffee, sardines, and tobacco. Have also arranged fortnightly supply of bread through Comité Franco-Belge but temporary lack of flour has so far prevented shipment. Expect this will shortly be remedied but suggest that despatch of food in bulk at earliest moment possible from America important. Supplies should include especially flour, then lard, sugar, rice, and soap, all of which impossible to procure and ship from here. Other articles such as condensed milk, bacon, coffee, jam, small cheeses, American tobacco, boots would be useful. Shipments by Harte desirable at present and think that for a time existing agencies can be used but ultimately unnecessary and centralization here advisable account of greater facilities, propinquity to France, and official connections. Have communicated with Geneva Society, lately formed. Believe that this can advantageously aid but that all control and initiative should remain in Berne. Organization will shortly be completed with Mrs. Stovall president, Dresel vice president and general director, small executive committee of four or five, and advisory council of about ten from different parts of Switzerland. Shall endeavor to keep scheme elastic and informal for the present with view to future development. Shall arrange temporary quarters at old Legation and engage one paid clerk for the present requirements. STOVALL |