File No. 861.00/2385
The French Ambassador (Jusserand) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 18.]
Mr. Secretary of State: With the object of furthering the union movement reported from eastern Siberia and of assisting in the recruitment of military elements capable of bringing effective aid to the Czech troops, General Paris, a French officer attached to these troops at Vladivostok, has asked to have a lump-sum credit of 5;000,000 rubles immediately opened.
The Government of the Republic has given its full assent to the request and in view of the urgency has assumed the following expenditures: [Page 285] 3,500,000 rubles for the upkeep of the Czecho-Slovak troops; 250,000 rubles for the recruiting of soldiers who would join the Czechs.
Believing that the extension of financial aid to those Bohemian contingents that are fighting in Siberia in the cause of the Allies is an urgent necessity, my Government would be glad if the Federal Government would also agree to opening the aforesaid credit and in that case would kindly direct the payment of its quota to be effected without delay either at Peking or Tokyo.
I should be very thankful to your excellency if you would kindly let me know whether the American Government is disposed to accede to this proposition of the French Government.
Be pleased to accept [etc.]