851.51/5–846: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Caffery)
us urgent niact
2189. In reply to direct inquiries (for the Ambassador) as to whether you recommended early action on French loan for political reasons (as reported in regrettable UP story) we are saying that (1) naturally you have sent numerous inquiries re progress of negotiations and urged earliest action consistent with economic merits of French case, (2) choice of timing of negotiations was made entirely by French Govt, and (3) though Blum originally planned to arrive here February 27 French Govt did not fix time of elections till March 19.