861.48/1357: Telegram
The Ambassador in France ( Wallace ) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received January 26—1.22 a.m.]
68. Referring to High Commissioner’s telegram of January 14, repeated to Department January 17. I am informed by Foreign Office that Maklakoff’s report correctly reflects policy of French [Page 831] Government “en principe.” In view, however, of actually existing conditions French Government has been unwilling to withdraw support thus abruptly and to leave these refugees to starve although continued assistance imposes an unduly heavy financial burden on nation and the work of a peculiarly thankless character. The French as a matter of fact have since January 1st been furnishing financial support and supplies both to the governments of those countries which have received Russian refugees and to refugees in Turkish territory and they will undoubtedly continue to do so after February 1st. Nevertheless French Government feels that it is bound to exert every effort to reduce amount of this assistance and to induce Allied Governments and America to collaborate in making of Russian Relief Committee an effective organ for dealing with problem of these refugees.