861.00/7481: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Wallace) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 6—7:09 a.m.]
1777. Your 1526, October 1, 5 p.m. Press reports were substantially correct. Negotiations for mutual repatriation of nationals between Chancellor of French Legation and Litvinoff at Copenhagen were concluded last April. After some delay on account of transportation difficulties all Russian prisoners in France and Algeria were repatriated last summer but there were continued procrastination and excuses on the part of the Soviet Government in fulfilling its part of the agreement. In the last days of September the French Government issued the ultimatum reported, the result being Chicherin’s statement and the arrival in Paris yesterday of 240 repatriated French citizens. Foreign Office believes remaining French prisoners also being repatriated and now on Finnish border. The assistance given by Dr. Nansen is appreciated.