861.48/1145
The British Ambassador ( Lindsay ) to the Acting Secretary of State
Sir: I have the honour to inform you, on instructions from my Government, that in view of the apparently imminent collapse of General Denikin’s regime, the question of providing for refugees [Page 588] from that part of Russia which has heretofore been under his control is becoming daily more urgent.
The Roumanian Government, who had at first offered to receive a number of these refugees on certain conditions, have now withdrawn their offer but several thousand have been transported to Egypt, Serbia, Bulgaria and elsewhere and arrangements are now being made to receive a further number in Cyprus. In addition to these the Greek Government have offered to receive one thousand wounded and sick on condition that their expenses, which the Greek Government themselves are quite unable to defray, should be paid.
In these circumstances I am instructed to enquire whether the United States Government would be prepared to contribute towards the general expenditure on transporting and maintaining these refugees.
I should be grateful if a reply could be given at as early a date as possible.
I have [etc.]