File No. 893.51/1287.

The American Ambassador to France to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram—Paraphrase.]

Your Feb. 9. I learn from Foreign Office that, in reply to proposal the four foreign advisers should be: an Englishman at the head of the salt gabelle; a German in the foreign loan bureau; and a Frenchman and a Russian in the audit department. Germany notified France today that she wishes her adviser at the head of the gabelle. Foreign Office considers this a question between Germany and England. In my opinion the difficulties now existing would not appear to threaten disruption of loan.

Herrick.