File No. 763.72114/2712b

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland ( Stovall )

[Telegram]

616. Please report exactly what is being done from Berne in relief of American prisoners in Germany. It would appear from a telegram from Stockholm from Harte of the Y.M.C.A. that he is forwarding parcels fortnightly to prisoners. This perhaps is desirable until a complete relief organization is established by you, when the entire question of relieving the needs of American prisoners should be directed by you under advice from the Department and with the [Page 2] American Red Cross and Berne Aid Society cooperating. Does this meet with your views? Red Cross here could forward parcels from the United States to Berne Aid Society if food is difficult to obtain in Switzerland, and, since there is no parcel-post service between the United States and Switzerland, Red Cross propose temporarily at least to send parcels to American clearing house at Paris for reforwarding. Please formulate and forward as soon as possible to Department general plan, having in mind that number of prisoners may be greatly increased when United States forces are sent to the French front.

Lansing