File No. 872.48/92

The Minister in Roumania (Vopicka) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

267. British Government, controlling 85 per cent of all flour grown in Roumania, is opposed to shipping any flour or foodstuffs to Serbia, claiming that by such action they would release Central powers from burden of feeding civilian population. For the same reason said Government together with [Roumanian?] Government have stopped passage of cars of flour promised to me for Serbia as per my telegram No. [232?], February 28, 6 p. m.1 It seems they also tried to stop Roumanian exportation 100 cars of maize and it is only due to my continuous efforts that said Government has given [20?] cars of maize and are beginning to ship balance this week to Serbia. Government has also promised permit to export 100 cars wheat if same is purchased immediately. Could American Red Cross send at once necessary funds for this? Could Department influence British Government to withdraw its opposition to shipping flour, etc., to save starving Serbians? The same influences have made it impossible to send to American Red Cross, Constantinople, any relief for the starving Turkish civilian population.

Vopicka
  1. Not printed.