File No. 811.142/1848

The Ambassador in Austria-Hungary ( Penfield ) to the Secretary of State

No. 2237

Sir: Adverting to my telegram No. 1549 of to-day’s date,2 relative to the desire of the Austro-Hungarian Government that the activities of the relief work in Serbia, conducted by the American Red Cross Society, should be terminated on the distribution of the supplies now on hand, I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy and translation of note verbale No. 115343/9 from the Imperial and Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dated the 22d instant, upon which my telegram was based.

I have [etc.]

Frederic C. Penfield
[Enclosure—Translation]

The Austro-Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the American Embassy

No. 115343/9

Note Verbale

The relief work in Serbia organized by the American Red Cross has received the continued support of the Imperial and Royal Government and of the military authorities in the expectation that conditions would permit, with this cooperation and the help of the donations which were expected from the United States of America itself, the inauguration of an extensive relief movement for the benefit of the necessitous population of the occupied territory, and, through the receipt of the fresh supplies expected, the further development of [Page 924] the praiseworthy action already begun. Unfortunately, the conditions have shaped themselves in such a way that this expectation has failed of realization; the contributions from the United States were rendered impossible through causes which certainly the American Red Gross endeavored to remove, through the ever increasing rigor of the Entente blockade regulations, and the former shipments from Roumania, regarded solely as a temporary remedy, have likewise been discontinued since that State has entered the war.

Under these circumstances it appears fitting that the work of the relief committee should be interrupted until such time as conditions would permit of its resumption.

In this regard the Military Government General of Belgrade has invited the officials of the American Red Cross Committee now working in Serbia to conclude their activity there with the distribution of the supplies already on hand.

The Imperial and Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the honor to apprise the Embassy of the United States of America of the foregoing with the request that it, together with the thanks of the Imperial and Royal Government for the humanitarian labors, be brought to the cognizance of the American Red Cross and its officials engaged in the relief work.

  1. Not printed.