311.6124/6: Telegram

The Commissioner at Riga ( Gade ) to the Secretary of State

48. Your Dec. 19, 5 p.m. Latvian Government is happy to extend courtesy to United States of permitting 150 aliens to land Libau and guarantee transport to Bolshevik lines and see aliens across frontier. The total cost will approximate four pounds sterling per person. The Latvian Government would value, in place of being paid this cost, to receive shipped immediately, if possible by same steamer, equivalent value in flour. The authorities are as yet unable to determine point of frontier where troops sufficiently dependable to permit certain transfer of aliens over frontier. I would have failed in original negotiations had I not brought in element of food stuffs wanted, actual financial reimbursement being of slight value and troops needing additional rations. Transfer Siberian troops does not enter into negotiations.

Gade