763.72119 P 43/3: Telegram
The Special Representative ( House ) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 29—8:46 p.m.]
200. Grew advises me as follows with reference to tentative arrangements for leasing office space for the peace commission in addition to the Hotel Crillon already taken over by the Embassy. The transfer of the lease for the property at 4 Place de la Concorde from the American Red Cross to the commission has been arranged and is now awaiting signature. The rent of the property is now 75,000 francs a year, the lease to run for a period of 6 months after the date announced by the French Government as the official [date?] of the suspension of hostilities. Mr. Warren of the legal department of the commission has examined the terms and approves. There would, furthermore, be a charge of 40,000 francs representing less than 50 percent of the cost of the fixtures installed by the Red Cross which would thus be taken over by the commission and sold at the expiration of its occupancy. Tentative arrangements have also been made to take over four upper stories of adjoining building at 3 Rue Royale for 3 months beginning December 7th, when the lease of Red Cross expires at the rate of 2,000 francs a month. This lease may afterwards be extended. Mr. Warren has examined and approves.
I suggest that matter be handled in the same way as in the case of Hotel Crillon by direct authorization from the Secretary of State to the Ambassador to sign these leases.