Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, The Paris Peace Conference, 1919, Volume II

Paris Peace Conf. 871.51/2

The Special Representative of the Treasury in Europe (Davis) to Colonel E. M. House

Paris , 1 January, 1919.

My Dear Colonel House: I am enclosing herewith a proposed cable to Mr. Rathbone, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, which I believe is a correct statement of the relief situation as presented to us and of the steps which it was suggested should be taken.⁵¹ As the Secretary of the Treasury can only establish credits with the approval of The President, it would be advisable, in order to save time, to have as soon as practicable the President’s approval of the procedure indicated in the enclosed cable, but I presume this cannot be done now until his return from Italy. However, if the cable meets with your approval, may I ask that you have it forwarded.

Enclosed you will also find copy of a cable sent by Secretary Lansing on the same subject.⁵²

Cordially yours,

Norman H. Davis

51. For telegram as sent, see No. 132, Jan. 2, 1919, p. 693.
52. Telegram No. 48, not sent until Jan. 2, 1919, p. 695.