861.77/2366
The Ambassador in France (Herrick) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 29.]
Sir: In reply to the Department’s Instruction No. 93 of November 2nd, relative to the present status of the Russo-Asiatic Bank, I have the honor to report that from inquiry at the Foreign Office I learn that the present status of the bank is uncertain. The reorganization mentioned in the Department’s dispatch was carried out and the bank is in possession of a fair amount of funds. The French Government intended at one time to make it a French institution, but found that there were certain disadvantages connected with such a course of action and they have since been marking time, feeling that it would be more desirable to carry on as at present and leave the final settlement of its status until the whole question of the Russian banks comes up for international discussion with the reestablishment of Russia.
I have [etc.]