File No. 861.77/184
The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 3, 10.05 a.m.]
1821. For the Secretary of State and Willard:
Pursuing my No. 1814. Arranged conference with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Ways of Communication for October 2, 9 p.m. Minister for Foreign Affairs deeply pleased when informed I had cabled for first-class railroad man. Please send immediately via quickest Atlantic ship, not Siberian. If new lines recommended will be only for prosecution of war and to increase efficiency of present lines. Such man would not be subordinate but would work in cooperation with Minister of Ways of Communication, in fact it [sic] would, as I understand from Minister for Foreign Affairs, dominate Russian railroads outside Trans-Siberian Railway system which Stevens commission has in charge.