The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia (Francis)
816. Your 517, April 25. You may say informally to Minister of Foreign Affairs that the Department is gratified to learn of the sympathetic attitude of the Russian Government towards relief work in Poland. Call to his attention that a large number of American citizens for humanitarian reasons are deeply interested in assisting the suffering inhabitants of Poland, and are inquiring of Department what method of distributing relief would be acceptable. Endeavor to ascertain whether Russian Government favors extension over Poland of organization of Belgium Relief Commission, or prefers that work should be conducted separately. What conditions and guarantees would Russia require before the commencement of relief work in Poland?