To Be Preserved For all TiMe
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in april 1942, and thus established precedent for its use for diplomatic hospitality.37 The press was soon speculating about the government’s negotiations to purchase Blair house for official entertaining and mentioned its recent use for the Peruvian visit. as wartime diplomacy increased, articles in the following months reported Blair house hosting King George of Greece, King Peter of yugoslavia, and Foreign Minister Molotov of russia. all of this publicity featured descriptions of the decorations, furnishings, and historic artifacts of the now part-time “guest house.” contemporary internal correspondence, however, shows dos senior executives still resisting permanent acquisition, questioning the sale price as too high, the maintenance and staffing as too expensive, and the size and facilities as inadequate. shaw had again rejected Percy’s appeal in late May, reminding him that the current diplomatic use was only temporary: the department of state is without authority to purchase or lease this property on permanent or long-term basis. no action is contemplated by the department to obtain legislative authority to permit of acquisition either through purchase or lease and you will wish, therefore, to make your arrangements accordingly. 38
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