840.48 Refugees/3765: Airgram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith)
A–1577. Referring your 402, April 22, 7 p.m. You are authorized to draw draft for $150,000 and, in your discretion, to pay this immediately, in whole or in part, to the Polish Legation to be expended incident to the settlement of Polish refugees. Amounts advanced, either in dollars or in the equivalent pesos, may be advanced against the receipt of the appropriate officer of the Polish Legation, and the Department would appreciate a periodic report from you of additional monies which may be necessary for this purpose, accompanied by a report indicating that in your opinion the monies have been expended for the purpose for which intended.
The Department would like the receipt of tentative estimates broken down into objective classification, if practicable, as you have been previously instructed and in addition if accounting data could be obtained from the Polish Legation showing the actual disbursements made it is desired for the record. It is suggested that the Embassy or Mr. Kelly, or both, might assist the Polish Legation in rendering a reasonable accounting of these funds until such time as provision can be made for an appropriate accounting staff to be attached to the [Page 295] Polish Legation. Items in your accounts should be charged to Appropriation 19–112/30006.014, and of course no accounting responsibility will be assumed by the Embassy with reference to the disbursements made by the Polish Legation other than in an advisory capacity, nor should any indication be communicated at this time with reference to the proposed assignment or detail of an auditor or accountant by the Office of Foreign Relief and Rehabilitation Operations.