Paris Peace Conf. 861L.00/47: Telegram
The Commission to Negotiate Peace to the Acting Secretary of State
1086. [From Lansing.] Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs has transmitted through Legation Berne note dated February 12th2 to me as Secretary of State requesting aid to Lithuanians against Bolsheviks and particularly permission from Allied Supreme Command to organize soldiers Lithuanian origin in Expeditionary Forces [Page 137] of the United States in France. I question whether in any event such project is practicable and I feel before such measure could be considered assurances must be received that they would not operate against Poles in disputed district near Vilna. I am requesting mission of investigation which leaves shortly for Baltic countries to examine this question to see whether such an understanding between Poles and Lithuanians is possible but of course with no power to negotiate.
- Not printed.↩