851.48/260: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Leahy)
238. As a measure of urgent relief and pending clarification of the present discussions relative to the supply of food to unoccupied France, the President has authorized the purchase from funds appropriated by Congress for civil relief and offers to the French Government two shiploads of food grains for transportation and distribution in unoccupied France under the auspices of the American Red Cross. Such distribution would be effected in the same way and under the same conditions as the food for children, the first shipment of which has been sent to France on the S. S. Cold Harbor. Second shipment left March 17 on the S. S. Exmouth.
If this offer is acceptable to the French Government and it is willing to undertake transportation of these supplies on the two French vessels at present available in New York (your telegram 218, February 23, 7 p.m., Section 444a), this Government will be glad to recommend to the British Government free passage at an early date of these vessels through the contraband control.
We feel that this offer to forward food grains under the auspices of the American Red Cross would take care of the immediate situation.