840.48/3275: Telegram

The Chargé in Germany (Kirk) to the Secretary of State

385. My 336, February 7, 5 p.m. In view of the continued delay in the decision of the German authorities regarding relief in Poland I informed the representatives here of the Red Cross Polish Relief Commission and Mennonite organization that I did not feel that I could withhold longer the representations to the Foreign Office outlined in the Department’s 249, February 1, 7 p.m. The foregoing representatives agreed to my taking such a step and accordingly I presented to an Under State Secretary in the Foreign Office today the observations as set forth by the Department in regard to this general question. I was assured that these observations would receive the most serious consideration and although no statement was forthcoming [Page 753] as to the nature of the ultimate decision of the German authorities I was assured that a definite answer would be given to the representatives of the American relief organizations in Berlin within a very few days. I am urging upon those representatives not to leave Berlin until a decision has been rendered.

Kirk