861.00/5414 b: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
3431. From Miles and Long personally for Polk’s guidance. Reference Department’s telegram 3427 today transmitting message from Secretary Glass to Rathbone. Following Treasury message certain specific questions are answered. In the concluding paragraph of telegram under reference, especially the last part, it is proposed that in case certain other governments do not share expense we will abandon the repatriation of these troops. You are confidentially advised that this is not the policy which will be followed by this Department. The money allotted is sufficient to repatriate all the Czechoslovaks and whether others share in the work or not we are committed irrevocably and unalterably to move these soldiers. The statement referred to should be used to its fullest extent, however, [Page 309] in order if possible to compel cooperation. We are going to transport the Czechoslovaks anyway in case this fails, but it is necessary that a definite decision be quickly reached over there.