File No. 763.72114/703
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 17, 3.15 p. m.]
2744. Your telegram 2047, August 6, relative distribution relief among German and Austrian prisoners of war in Russia and Siberia,1 and No. 2058, August 10, stating Russian Government has given its consent that American Red Cross operate in Siberia and throughout Russia.2 German Government anxious to know whether American Red Cross willing to send nurses and doctors who would distribute relief and give actual medical assistance to Germans and Austro-Hungarians now in Russia and Siberia, their expenses and salaries to be paid by German Government. Mission could possibly be partly composed from members of the units now in Germany and Austria-Hungary, as far as they are willing to undertake such work. German Government would reciprocally allow Russian Government through the American Red Cross to give similar assistance to Russian prisoners in Germany and Austria-Hungary.