File No. 763.72114/3297
The Chargé in Switzerland ( Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 24, 10.35 a.m.]
2484. For Davison2 [from Dresel]:
Your 1325, January 11. Servian Minister and Servian Relief Bureau assist Montenegrin prisoners and have telegraphed Austrian Red Cross for details concerning them. Minister assures me special [Page 610] guarantees unnecessary and I concur. Probable that many are getting benefit of collective parcels sent from here to Servians. Am informed that total number not over 4,600, all Austrian camps, so far as known. Servian Red Cross, Geneva, has sent them 10,000 individual packages in last 10 months and 46,000 kilograms [have been] dispatched from Lyons for Montenegrins in last 12 months in collective packages through here. All foodstuffs sent here for Servians are being forwarded by Servian Bureau here in collective parcels addressed to camp committees, invoices and blank receipts being at the same time sent to German and Austrian Red Cross. Guarantees allowing distribution of supplies to Servian prisoners were received from Vienna and Berlin, June 1916, and Servian Bureau has operated successfully under these ever since. My efforts have been directed not to radical change of methods or obtaining additional guarantees, both of which would have been, in my judgment, unnecessary and impracticable, but to strengthening and securing distribution. See my 1911, October 23.1 No supervision of distribution by Swiss or neutral delegates has taken place as in the case of Russian prisoners, though such delegates have at times given valuable information. Camp committees have been responsible for proper distribution hitherto, but Servian Minister informs me Austrian Red Cross has cooperated usefully in relief work, probably largely due to Slatin Pasha. Temporary inspection by Swiss Red Cross outlined my 1911 will shortly take place and expect eventually to obtain appointment Spanish inspectors. Dresel.