800.515/931c: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)72

707. By Department’s 85, January 14, 11 p.m., we asked Ambassador Harriman to clear with Soviet Government type of mark currency [Page 827] we expect to use in forthcoming operations. This type has been generally agreed to between the United States and British Governments. Soviet Foreign Office states matter is before their military financial people and we are awaiting a reply.

Mr. Harriman now informs us that British Embassy, Moscow, has instructions from its Foreign Office which, in describing designs for mark currency, include inscriptions in Russian characters to be submitted for Soviet approval. Question of using Russian characters on German military currency has never been considered or approved by the authorities of this Government dealing with Civil Affairs matters. We hope that such a question will not be raised with the Soviet Government until there has been an opportunity to discuss it with the appropriate authorities of this Government and agreement reached thereon. Please take this up with the Foreign Office at the earliest opportunity.

Hull
  1. Repeated to Moscow as telegram 171.