File No. 871.51/40a
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia ( Francis)
1423. Secretary of the Treasury requests information concerning the possibilities of delivery of goods destined for Roumanian Government if sent to Archangel.
He also requests your opinion as to advisability from the point of view of aiding generally in the conduct of the war, of loaning the Roumanian Government approximately $4,000,000 for the present. This amount asked for by Col. Adrian Miclescu acting here as president of the Roumanian Trade Commission in the United States. He has no powers to sign obligations for that Government but is trying to receive such or have them conferred upon others in order that his Government may treat with the Secretary of the Treasury under the provisions of the act of Congress approved April 24, 1917. Meantime he states that approximately $5,000,000 worth of munitions and shoes ordered many months ago are now ready for shipment, and that cargo space is available for transportation to Archangel in the Russian volunteer fleet but that he is entirely without funds to pay freight and insurance and also without funds to meet certain amounts due on other goods ordered but not yet finished and delivered.
Please repeat foregoing to Jassy, omitting first paragraph and substituting “Secretary of the Treasury” for first two words in second paragraph.
Cable reply.