File No. 861.48/597
The Ambassador in Russia ( Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 16, 6.38 a.m.]
237. Answering your [May] 13, unnumbered [No. 121], which was referred to American Consul, Petrograd, and Red Cross; both replies confirm my impression, which is that further Lithuanian relief from America inadvisable because if not appropriated by Germans would relieve Germany from responsibility. Therefore, I advise all remittances be prohibited unless satisfactory proof given that same available solely for sufferers, who, furthermore, should not pay remittances to German agents.
Colton1 here reports his secretaries are aiding exchange of Russian prisoners; that half of those exchanged are tuberculous subjects, and all are deprived of overcoats and everything except most scanty clothing before crossing line. Such exchanged prisoners are energetic anti-German propagandists and are decidedly anti-Bolshevik, asserting that if Bolsheviks had not gained control and prevented Russia from performing her part war would be now ended.
- Ethan T. Colton, Chief of the Y.M.C.A. Mission to Russia.↩