File No. 861.00/3068

The British Chargé ( Barclay) to the Acting Secretary of State

No. 1135

My Dear Mr. Polk: I enclose, herewith, a copy of the agreement between His Majesty’s Government and the Czecho-Slovak National Council of September 3d, 1918.

I understand that this agreement was also communicated at the time of its signature to the American Chargé d’Affaires in London.

Believe me [etc.]

Colville Barclay
[Enclosure]

Agreement between the British Government and the Czecho-Slovak National Council

In furtherance of the declaration issued by His Majesty’s Government on August 9th, 1918, recognizing the Czecho-Slovaks as an allied nation and recognizing the right of the Czecho-Slovak National Council, as the supreme organ of the Czecho-Slovak national interest, to exercise supreme authority over the Allied and belligerent Czecho-Slovak Army, His Majesty’s Government and the Czechoslovak National Council have determined to enter into the following agreement.

1.
His Majesty’s Government will until the organization of the future Czecho-Slovak Government maintain relations with the Czecho-Slovak National Council and will deal with it direct on all questions within the competence of such Council.
2.
His Majesty’s Government agree to the Czecho-Slovak armies being placed under the general control of the Czecho-Slovak National Council in all matters other than those which fall within the sphere of the Allied commanders in chief under whose command the units of the Czecho-Slovak armies may be placed.
3.
The Czecho-Slovak National Council will frame a budget for the maintenance of its administration and of its armies, but due regard shall be paid therein to any arrangements made for the advance of funds to Czecho-Slovak forces under existing agreements between the British and Allied Governments.
4.
In the event of a loan being advanced to the Czecho-Slovak National Council on behalf of the future Czecho-Slovak Government, His Majesty’s Government agree to participate therein oil terms of equality with their allies.
5.
The Czecho-Slovak National Council will on behalf of the future Czecho-Slovak Government forthwith institute a financial commission and will invite His Majesty’s Government to appoint a member thereof. The Czecho-Slovak budget will be placed under the control of this commission.
6.
His Majesty’s Government will recognize the right of the Czecho-Slovak National Council to be represented at any Allied conference when questions affecting the interests of the Czecho-Slovaks are under discussion.
7.
His Majesty’s Government will recognize the passports issued by the Czecho-Slovak National Council or by its duly authorized representatives.
8.
The Czecho-Slovak National Council will appoint a representative in London through whom relations with His Majesty’s Government will be maintained.
9.
His Majesty’s Government will recognize and will treat as alien friends and as members of an allied nation all persons who may be certified to them as Czecho-Slovaks by the Czecho-Slovak representative in London or by his authorized agents or to whom passports may be issued by the Czecho-Slovak National Council or its authorized representatives.
10.
His Majesty’s Government will treat official communications passing between the Czecho-Slovak National Council and its representatives in London upon the same footing as communications passing between a friendly Government and its representative in London.

In faith whereof the undersigned, duly authorized thereto by His Majesty’s Government and the Czecho-Slovak National Council respectively, have signed the present agreement.

Done in duplicate at London, the 3d day of September, 1918.

[No signatures indicated]