Office of the Historian

File No. 811.142/2558

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Switzerland ( Wilson)

[Telegram]
Washington, November 19, 1917, 5 p.m.

1136. Your 2037, November 13, 10 a.m. American National Red Cross has paid to the Department $100,000 for which, less exchange, you are authorized to draw immediately. Upon receiving proceeds you should obtain in writing the following guarantees specified in the license issued to the Red Cross by the War Trade Board—

that the funds are to be used exclusively for the purchase of food for children of Allied subjects in urban centers of Poland now occupied by the enemy, and that the Warsaw Polish Relief Committee shall ascertain to the best of its ability that the funds will not be used directly or indirectly to the advantage of the enemy, and that no individual remittances shall be paid from such funds to any individual, minor or adult, and that the Committee shall submit to the American National Red Cross a detailed report showing the distribution of such funds.

Upon receiving these guarantees in writing you are authorized to pay the proceeds of your draft to the authorized representatives of the Warsaw Polish Relief Committee, accompanying same by written statement as to purpose and conditions and taking written receipt acknowledging receipt from American National Red Cross. Report by cable amount of proceeds of draft and action taken. If practicable, secure assurance of Warsaw Committee that fact of contribution and of like contribution provisionally promised for December is given publicity in Poland and that it shall be thoroughly understood by Poland that contribution is made by American National Red Cross. Department regards it as important from point of view of American interests that measures be taken to assure to the United States, the benefit of Polish appreciation of our desire to help her. You may assure Warsaw Committee that unless conditions change in such manner that we cannot then consider sending money into Poland, American National Red Cross will supply $100,000 additional promptly on December 1, upon like conditions.

Polk