Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1918, Supplement 2, The World War

File No. 800.74/9

The Ambassador in France ( Sharp) to the Secretary of State

Paris, January 18, 1918.
[Received February 5.]

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, in copy and translation:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4. The protocol of a conference which took place on the 5th of January, 1918, between the American and French members of such Commission.¹

I have [etc.]

Wm. G. Sharp

[Enclosure—Translation]

Protocol of a Conference between the American and French Members of the Inter-Allied Radiotelegraphic Commission

Paris, January 5, 1918.

The undersigned, members of the Franco-American Wireless Telegraph Commission, met on January 5 at 10 o’clock at the office of the United States Naval Attaché at 23 rue de la Paix, Paris.

The following were present:

Naval Captain Evans and Naval Lieutenant Loftin of the United States, and Colonel Ferrié, Colonel Cartier, and Major Faucheur of France.

Colonel Cartier acted as secretary.

The Commission takes note of the following two cablegrams regarding the agreement of the American Navy to furnish and deliver in France the technical equipment and the towers of the new high-power station planned in the southwest of France.

The first cable is from the French High Commissioner at Washington:

The Navy Department transmits to us a summary of the letter of the President of the Council addressed to General Pershing concerning the construction of a high-power station in the region of Bordeaux. The American Navy agrees to deliver in France all the necessary equipment, including the towers. France will see to buying the land, constructing the necessary buildings, and fitting up the station. A cablegram confirming this agreement is being sent by the Navy Department to Admiral Sims.

The second cable is from Admiral Sims and is addressed to Naval Captain Jackson, Naval Staff representative at Paris:

Material for high power radio station for southwest France now being constructed by Navy, including two arc motor[s] input of each 1,200 kilowatts each to radiate over 550 amperes for suitable antenna 8 self-supporting towers over 800 feet high. Navy will deliver in France and if desired will erect same.—Sims.

The Commission likewise takes note of a declaration made by General Russel on behalf of General Pershing regarding the necessity of reducing to a minimum the weight to be transported from America to France, on account of the scarcity of available tonnage.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• Naval Captain Evans
• Naval Lieutenant Loffin
• Colonel Ferrié
• Colonel Cartier
• Major Faucheur

1. The Inter-Allied Radiotelegraphic Commission.