File No. 311.62/51a
The Secretary of State to the Swiss Minister ( Ritter)
Sir: I have the honor to refer to a conversation which your Secretary had with the Department of State on May 16, concerning the desire of the Prisoners of War Relief Committee, of New York [Page 173] City, to distribute funds to needy German subjects in the United States. In that conversation your Secretary inquired whether the Department would have any objection to such distribution.
In reply I have the honor to advise you that, after careful consideration, I perceive no objection to the proposal, provided that your Legation exercises a general supervision of the distribution of funds in question and will see to it that only those German subjects who are really in want shall receive financial assistance, which should not be in greater individual amounts than required by their actual needs.
Accept [etc.]