File No. 861.77/48
The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 12, 3 p.m.]
1179. Your 1288. My 1167. Written consent for [expert] commission not yet received. Learn confidentially it was given reluctantly and know that Russian nature resents outside advice, furthermore such a commission would require two months or more before beginning investigation, and by the time its report completed summer be well advanced, if not ended. Russia’s engineering and operating men very competent, difficulty not been with them, but with Government itself, whose sincerity in pushing war was suspected, and now openly questioned. Transportation congestion now most serious handicap, and requires immediate remedy. Government would appreciate and be highly pleased if we could expedite completion of railroad equipment contracts. Will you not please see Baldwin and American Locomotive Companies, Pressed Steel Car, American Car and Standard Car Companies, and also American railroads for which those companies have contracts, or certainly portion thereof, and thus enable prompt completion and shipment of Russian commitments? This is exceedingly important. Please answer.