File No. 861.24/54
The Ambassador in Russia ( Francis ) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 29, 8.15 p.m.]
44. Your 26, March 26, 5 p.m. American, British, French Military Missions appointed respectively Stevens, Marshall, Darcy, their nationals for such purchase.1 Nothing done beyond securing options. No drafts drawn as thought best to leave our share in United States gold dollars for the present. Military attaché says committee asking all contributions be trebled and England assented while France concurs without (comment?). If Germans capture Moscow will require large sum to prevent great quantities supplies there falling into enemy hands.
- The “Goods Exchange” (Tovaro-Obmien) was organized in Russia in January 1918 “for the purpose of withholding munitions and goods of all kinds from the Germans who were at that time invading Russia.” The heads of the firm were R. R. Stevens, American member; Arthur G. Marshall, British member; and Pierre Darcy, French member (see report of Consul Frank C. Lee, File No. 811.20261 T/19).↩