File No. 861.00/2870
The Ambassador in France ( Sharp ) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 3, 6.14 p.m.]
5281. Your 5236, August 7, 4 p.m.1 Foreign Office replies that the imminent Reorganization of new contingents of volunteer troops of Russian, Polish and Jugo-Slav nationalities will necessitate the supplying of a considerable amount of supplementary winter clothing and that it is impossible to fix the quantity. It appears from information taken that the French military authorities with the Czecho-Slovak troops have already given the necessary orders in this respect. It seems, however, to the French Government that if the American Government could make immediate shipment of warm clothing to be consigned to the American military authorities at Vladivostok with the necessary instructions for their delivery, this stock could be readily utilized and would be of tremendous importance to the health and well-being of the new troops called upon to fight in a particularly severe climate. It appears that the French Government has taken steps to clothe the present organization but that in the future it prefers to lean on American assistance. Copy of note goes but in to-morrow’s despatch.