William G. McAdoo to Robert Lansing

May I ask that you kindly have the following cable sent to Mr. Crosby, the substance of which has the approval of Secretary Baker:Treasury Number 50. I have presented to Secretary War the need for a full discussion of the whole military program with the military authorities of the Allied Governments with a view to determining whether an unrestricted expenditure upon the part of our War Department is advisable having in mind the restrictions which the shipping problem will impose upon the transportation of troops and supplies and the limitations which such expenditures by our War Department will necessarily impose upon the advances which might otherwise be made available by the United States Treasury to the Allies. Secretary of War fully in accord with the pressing need for a study along these lines and agrees also that to do this effectually there should be a United States military representative on the Inter-Ally Council. He has accordingly instructed General Bliss, Chief of Staff, on his return to Europe shortly to confer with you and to cooperate in every way. As American military representative on the Supreme War Council, General Bliss will be in a position to determine with exactness the demands which the other allied governments will make upon our military resources, and should he find that he could perform full duty on both the Supreme War Council and the Inter-Ally Council, the Secretary of War feels that it might be well to assign him as our military representative on the Council. He will await action on this pending recommendation from General Bliss after conference with you.

(Signed) WG McAdoo
Secretary.

The Honorable,
The Secretary of State.