File No. 867.48/717
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Sweden ( Morris )
507. Your 1384, 26th. For Constantinople:
Your telegram signed by Gates, Huntington, and Fowle with regard to shipment of gold to Constantinople in order to reduce exchange was received January 26. Please inform American Relief Committee that Department wishes full details of how gold would [Page 555] be shipped, how disposed of and whether conversion into local currency would have the sanction of the Turkish Government. What guarantee have you that the benefit of the transaction will accrue to relief work only? Department has instructed American Minister, Stockholm, to restrain action of courier, if not too late, pending further developments. The concurrence of this Government should be obtained before any transactions of this nature are initiated. Please ask Committee to report fully.