Paris Peace Conf. 871.48/3a: Telegram
The Commission to Negotiate Peace to the Acting Secretary of State
215. For the Secretary of the Treasury from the President. Referring to cable from Davis to you relative to an advance of $5,000,000 to Roumania69 and the various communications to the State Department and Food Administration on Roumanian situation. The information from our authorities indicates an extremely dangerous situation which must be relieved in the next few days and one which, if cumulative, with others, may necessitate increased military effort on our part. In my opinion this would be in interest of National Defense and I strongly approve giving this advance so as to allow the shipment of urgent food pending the appropriation for relief now in Congress. The British are sending cargo of wheat and we must assist by forwarding cargoes now in the Mediterranean. I also wish to urge the desirability of the Treasury aiding in every way in the disposal of our surplus food products in order to prevent losses to our producers and to prevent consequent difficulties at home and disorder in Europe. Unless there is some legal obstacle I regard this of the highest importance.