763.72119 P 43/960: Telegram
The Special Representative ( House ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:01 p.m.]
132. From Grew. Your 35 [36?], November 15, 6 p.m. Our 99 and 123.7 Have discussed matters fully with General Nolan, Colonel Van Deman, Gibson and Auchincloss. We are in entire accord as to plans. It is important to send in, as soon as possible, a number of trained men of known ability to be reenforced as rapidly as possible by others as soon as their suitability is established. Should very particularly like to have the following men from the diplomatic service, and am convinced that their usefulness in this [Page 200] new field will justify and greatly outweigh any temporary inconvenience to the missions to which they are now assigned: Paragraph 1, Dulles8 or Herter,9 whichever one can be spared; 2, Eugene Schecraft;10 3, Lithgow Osborne; 4, Norman Armour.11
I hope Department will assign these men by telegraph and direct them to report to us in Paris at the earliest possible moment.
The following Army officers are now here available. Commander in chief will detail them for service under our direction as soon as Department gives its approval:
- 1.
- Major Stephen Bonsal, who is already known to the Department;
- 2.
- Captain Royall Tyler, now in Paris, excellent French, German and Spanish; good background of international affairs; sound judgment. Has since our entry into the war been chief, American section, Inter-Allied Bureau Paris;
- 3.
- [Apparent omission] assistant military attaché at Berne. Perfect German; good judgment, active, good background on political conditions, has lived in Germany and Austria;
- 4.
- Lieutenant Frederick R. King, French and German, good general training, very friendly relations with Benes and others members of new Czecho-Slovak Government. Benes has asked that King be allowed to go with him.
The commander in chief has expressed himself as ready to assign to this work, and [any?] other officers who may be fitted and who are desired by us. A further list will be submitted as soon as we can look into the qualifications of men [?] are now in our possession.
Question of communication is being arranged with military and naval authorities. Military authorities have requested me furnish codes, and instead of ordinary interpreters will assign officers speaking the languages desired. A list of 250 such officers has been submitted and the commander in chief will assign as many of these men as we may require.
There is already a great shortage of clerks and none can be provided by military authorities.
Nolan of the opinion, in which we concur, that Voska’s services can best be utilized in continuing his present duties directly under military intelligence section, which will cooperate in every way.
Paragraph 3 of your telegram concerning protection. Has Secretary of War telegraphed commander in chief or shall we take it up directly with military authorities as regards question of credentials [Page 201] for our agents? I assume they should not be accredited to anyone as representatives of the Department of State. I suggest therefore that each man be provided with a document from Hoover designating him as a member of the United States Food Administration, or whatever relief organizations may be established. This would be, I think, quite justifiable as any representative sent by Hoover into these countries must depend upon, in a great measure, our agents for knowledge of political conditions which will have so important an influence on relief policies.
Hoover has not arrived, but we shall consult with him upon his arrival and hope that he will have no objection.
To meet necessary initial expenses, request that I be authorized by telegraph to draw on the Secretary of State, for $50,000 or such part of that sum as may be necessary.