860f.24/9½a
The Secretary of State to President Wilson
My Dear Mr. President: I am to see Mr. Baruch tomorrow in regard to the matter of supplying the needs of the Czecho-Slovaks, but, while I shall proceed along the lines already suggested, I wish to offer the following as a method which seems to remove the difficulty of coordinating the different sources of supply and also to secure speedy action, which is so essential in view of the near approach of winter.
I think that in view of the fact that we have recognized the Czecho-Slovak National Council as a de facto government it might be possible to make them a loan sufficient to purchase the necessary supplies in this country. The entire responsibility and work of purchasing and arranging for the transportation of the supplies would by this method fall upon Professor Masaryk and his colleagues.
This course would have the advantage of giving substantial evidence of our opinion as to the probable success of the movement and our faith in the repayment of moneys loaned. But even if it was never repaid we would be no worse off than if we expend the amount on supplies and gave them to the Czecho-Slovaks.
Would you be good enough to let me have your opinion on this suggestion, and, if it meets with your approval, an authorization [Page 381] to lay it before Professor Masaryk either before or after discussing the plan with the Treasury as you think best?
Faithfully yours,