VIII. MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS—Continued STATUS IN AMERICAN PORTS OF SHIPS OWNED OR REQUISITIONED BY FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS AND ENGAGED IN COMMERCE No. Date From and to whom Subject Page 829 831 831 Apr. 9, From the Ambas- Argentine complaint of treat- port Chaco, in U.S. ports. sador in Argentina Argentine transports in U.S. ports is anxiously awaited. Chaco; agreement signed by Commission is quoted. sador in Argentina tions regarding the Chaco as satisfactory. tations regarding immunity 834 835 Radio COMMUNICATION WITH FRANCE 836 1892 837 Jan 838 June 19, From the French Proposed building in France of new high-power wireless sta- | tion for radio communication with the United States. ! France during present war over such station as may be to be considered. to the Commander tion in southwest France. Waters conference between U.S. and French members of Inter- Commission. pletion of high-power radio [Rec'd station in France. Encloses Nov. 26) U.S.-French agreement, Feb. 11, 1919, concerning its completion. 5960 839 840 VIII. MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS—Continued No. Date From and to whom Subject Page 844 845 Jan. 16, From the Italian Advisability of convention be- tween the United States and Draft submitted. protocol for regulation of U.S.- munication. protocol. Text transmitted for signature. communication between the two countries. 846 847 I PRISONERS OF WAR TREATMENT OF PRISONERS OF WAR File No. 811.712/69 The Postmaster General (Burleson) to the Secretary of State WASHINGTON, May 15, 1917. [Received May 16.] Sir: Referring to this Department's letter of the 9th ultimo, transmitting a copy of the Daily Bulletin of this Department containing the Postmaster General's Order No. 211 of the 7th ultimo, suspending mail service for and via Germany, I have the honor to transmit herewith for the information of your Department a copy of the Daily Bulletin of the Department containing the Postmaster General's Order No. 331 of today's date, giving notice that the provisions of Order No. 211 are not to be understood as applying to mail for or from prisoners of war. By direction of the Postmaster General: Very respectfully, A. A. FISHER Acting Second Assistant Postmaster General c'lle No. 763.72114/2712b The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, May 29, 1917, p. m. 616. Please report exactly what is being done from Berne in relief of American prisoners in Germany. It would appear from a telegram from Stockholm from Harte of the Y.M.C.A. that he is forwarding parcels fortnightly to prisoners. This perhaps is desirable until a complete relief organization is established by you, when the entire question of relieving the needs of American prisoners should be directed by you under advice from the Department and with the 1 2 * Not printed. · Post, p. 412. 59665-33 -1 1 American Red Cross and Berne Aid Society cooperating. Does this meet with your views? Red Cross here could forward parcels from the United States to Berne Aid Society if food is difficult to obtain in Switzerland, and, since there is no parcel-post service between the United States and Switzerland, Red Cross propose temporarily at least to send parcels to American clearing house at Paris for reforwarding. Please formulate and forward as soon as possible to Department general plan, having in mind that number of prisoners may be greatly increased when United States forces are sent to the French front. LANSING File No. 763.72114/2715 The Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] [Received June 4, 9.25 a. m.] 991. Your 616, May 29. Have despatched through Comité Bernois, a Swiss organization assisting prisoners of different nationalities, a package to each man containing shirt, underclothing, socks, various food supplies including meat, vegetables, chocolate, coffee, sardines, and tobacco. Have also arranged fortnightly supply of bread through Comité Franco-Belge but temporary lack of flour has so far prevented shipment. Expect this will shortly be remedied but suggest that despatch of food in bulk at earliest moment possible from America important. Supplies should include especially flour, then lard, sugar, rice, and soap, all of which impossible to procure and ship from here. Other articles such as condensed milk, bacon, coffee, jam, small cheeses, American tobacco, boots would be useful. Shipments by Harte desirable at present and think that for a time existing agencies can be used but ultimately unnecessary and centralization here advisable account of greater facilities, propinquity to France, and official connections. Have communicated with Geneva Society, lately formed. Believe that this can advantageously aid but that all control and initiative should remain in Berne. Organization will shortly be completed with Mrs. Stovall president, Dresel vice president and general director, small executive committee of four or five, and advisory council of about ten from different parts of Switzerland. Shall endeavor to keep scheme elastic and informal for the present with view to future development. Shall arrange temporary quarters at old Legation and engage one paid clerk for the present requirements. STOVALL |