Letter from tasker Bliss to Officer, Commanding Base Section No. 5, 1918 May 21

SUPREME WAR COUNCIL, AMERICAN SECTION, VERSAILLES

Officer Commanding Base Section No. 5, Service of Supply, Brest, France.

Sir:

On the night of his departure from Paris (April 7), enroute home, the Secretary of War directed me to send to him my weekly report by means of the courier leaving Paris for Brest; and to arrange with you for its despatch direct to him in Washington by the hands of a reliable American officer returning home from Brest by one of our transports. You are requested to place the envelope in the hands of such an officer, if there be one going, with instructions to deliver it in person to the Secretary of War in Washington. In case his previous orders do not take him to Washington, on reporting to The Adjutant General in Washington he will receive orders that will cover his journey.

In case there be no such officer returning on the transport , please place the envelope in the hands of the Naval officer in command of the transport with a written request to him by you that he will place it in the hands of one of his officers who may be going to Washington after arrival at the home port, to be delivered in person to the Secretary of War. In case of absolute necessity it may be mailed in New York; but, to insure delivery, the Secretary of War is most desirous that, if practicable, it should be delivered to him in person.

I shall be greatly obliged to you if, after despatch of the document from Brest, you will have a report made to me stating the vessel by which it went and the name of the officer to whom it was entrusted.

Very respectfully, Tasker H. Bliss General, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, Permanent American Military Rep. Supreme War Council.

incl.