Office of the Historian

861.51/110: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia (Francis)

Washington, June 8, 1916—6 p. m.

860. Your 563, 565, May 24, and 569 May 25, 1 p. m.22

Before delivering messages to Vanderlip and Guaranty Trust Company, I must inquire whether they refer to Russian Government loans of any description. If they do, I regret that the Department can not be a party to their transmission, as such action would submit it to justifiable criticism because of participation by this Government in loan transaction by a belligerent for the purpose of carrying on its hostile operations. Such participation is contrary to the accepted [Page 150] rule of international law that neutral Governments should not lend their assistance to the raising of war loans by belligerents.

Lansing
  1. None printed.↩