File No. 861.61323/–
The Consul General at Moscow (Summers) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 16, 11.50 p.m.]
338. Four Russian flax-spinning companies offer 1,524 short tons flax yarns, wet-spun linen warps, wet-spun tow warps, dry-spun weft partial assorted numbers, 12½ million rubles, f. o. b., Vologda. These goods are now in war zone and may fall into hands enemy if not purchased at once and removed interior. Advance Germans [makes] action necessary. Suggest that amount be cabled, and that Consulate General be given authority to make purchases acting on advice prominent flax merchants who will decide on fair prices. Arrangements can then be made to send the first Archangel for shipment United States. Please answer at once in order that I may arrange immediate transfer to placesout of reach enemy. Military Mission warmly approves. French Consul General doing positive and efficient work along these lines.