Evening star., 1939-02-19


what was gone through to accom-
plish that In the matter under
discussion?" Senator Nye asked.
The practice, whether you call
1t an exception or not, as to that
plane would apply to any other
government" Mr.. johnson replied.
Secretary Morgenthau, retracins
his previous testimony, added un-
der further questioning that he had
satisfied himself that the French
had the cash to purchase the planes
they desired and were making no
edot to obtain credit.
Mr.. Morgenthau also declined, the
record revealed, to furnish the COM
mittee with q copy Of 4 letter from
the President authorizing ofncial as
sistance for the French.
Since your request relates not to
one but to many confidential COM
munications, written and oral, be-
tween the President and depart
ments Of the Government, I regret
that lacking specific authorization
from him am not at liberty to
comply with It," the Treasury head
wrote Chairman Sheppard.
Assistant Secretary Of the Treas
ury John w. Hanes backed up his
chiefs statement that the French
had sought no credit, denying also
that the Treasury stabilization fund
had been used In any way to
finance the deal.
Authorized by Daladier.
Earlier, under questioning by Sen
ator Nye. the Treasury head told
how the French mission was sent to
the United States with an authoriza-
ton signed by Premier Daladier, and
that Acting Secretary Of State Welles
informed him they were an ac-
credited mission.
He then explained that the French
group came to him because the
Procurement Division, central pur-
chasing agency Of the Government,
Is located in the Treasury Depart
ment.
1T was the thought" Mr.. Nor
genthau said, that If the Procure
ment Division could assist this
French mission, which had come
here, to meet manufacturers and
carry out its mission, 1t would be
helpful to them as friendly nation.
What We have been trying to do is
to give them a common meeting
ground in the Procurement Division
to meet American manufacturers
who have something to sell for cash" "
The record here shows the fol-
lowing testimony:
Mr.. Morgenthau-Shall proceed?
Senator Nye-Just a moment. Did
the French mission come directly to
you, or were they introduced to you
or sent to you by another agency
Of the Government?
Secretary Morgenthau-I can only
explain that, as said before, did
not receive them until the Acting
Secretary of State informed me that
they were an accredited mission.
Senator Nye-Had any effort been
made for them to see you before you
heard anything from Mr.. Welles?
Secretary Morgenthau-Oh, can
not remember every last detail, Sen
ator.
Senator Nye-I am trying to nnd
out what prompted the mission to
come to you, to come to the Pro-
curement Division and to you, in
preference to going to some other
agency of the Government.
Says: Ask the French.
Secretary Morgenthau-I think
you will have to ask them that
question.
Senator Nye-Ask the French
mission?
Secretary Morgenthau-Yes.
Senator Nye-Which, of course, is
impossible. 80
Senator Nye-Mr. Secretary, you
testified in the previous hearing to
the effect that the President himself
had requested your interest in aid
Of this French mission.
Secretary Morgenthau-I 50 testi-
fed.
Senator Nye-Have you any knowl-
edge of whether or not Ambassador
Bullitt had discussed this matter
with the President before you had
knowledge Of it? ''s
Secretary Morgenthau-I am sorry
but cannot answer questions about
the Presidents conversations with
third parties. 80
Senator Nye-Do you know
whether Ambassador Bullitt ac-
companied that mission from
France?
Secretary Morgenthau-I cannot
answer that.
Also made public by the commit
tee was the statement of Admiral
c. j. Peoples. director Of the