Paris Peace Conf. 871.51/18a: Telegram
The Commission to Negotiate Peace to the Acting Secretary of State
48. [From Lansing.] Referring to various telegrams on condition of affairs in Roumania, inform Secretary of the Treasury every evidence here reinforces statement that immediate relief must be given if stability of Government is to be maintained and if country is not submerged in Bolshevism. As Roumania has no financial resources the one hope of relief is through advances by the various Governments. Hoover has some cargoes in the Mediterranean which he could forward at once and could probably obtain some food from Australian sources if such credits could be established. United States Government at one time made advances to Roumania. She is now at war with Germany. It is extremely urgent that advances should be provided at once and I am of the opinion that her present state of hostilities entitles her to come within the provisions of the law relating to Treasury advances. Separate cables to the Treasury with regard to the immediate advance of 5 million dollars for food relief go forward to-day from Davis.53a Trust Department sees no legal obstacle to the proposed action. Robert Lansing.
- Apparently only the telegram supra was sent on Jan. 2.↩