861.00/5740: Telegram
The Commission to Negotiate Peace to the Secretary of State
Paris, November 24,
1919, 8 p.m.
[Received 10:22 p.m.]
[Received 10:22 p.m.]
5384. [From Rathbone.] R–82. To Secretary of the Treasury.
Department’s 3857, November 22, 3 p.m., your R–70.
- 1st.
- Beneš told me November 20th that consortium Czecho-Slovak banks had obtained 250,000,000 francs credit from French banks for purchases here. He was leaving for London to endeavor to obtain similar credit from British banks for British purchases. He is to see me on his return to Paris and expects to make effort to obtain similar credit from American banks for United States purchases.
- 2d.
- Informed Beneš that Treasury was prepared to furnish credit up to $12,000,000 for reparation (repatriation?) one half troops if British would agree to provide for other there [half]. Explained on lines of your unnumbered despatch [cable] of October 15,33 why we were unwilling to proceed until British agreement was obtained. Beneš seemed on the whole satisfied with our position and intended to press British while in London.
- 3d.
- I am not prepared to advise establishment of credit or making further comment [commitment]. Will cable again after seeing Beneš on his return from London and when Polk returns from London will confer with him on political situation.
- 4th.
- I entirely agree with probable consequences of commencing movement of troops without British agreement pointed out in paragraphs 4 and 5 your R–70. Do not understand that obligation to repatriation Czecho-Slovak troops rests upon us more than [upon] Allied Governments and feel that we have met our obligation by offer which we have already made. Am most reluctant to recede from position already taken by Treasury. Rathbone.
American Mission