740.00112 European War 1939/55: Telegram
The Minister in the Netherlands (Gordon) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 12—1:56 p.m.]
171. My 160, September 8, 4 p.m., particularly section 4.26 At the Breda meeting referred to in my said telegram Belgians informed Secretary General of Dutch Foreign Office that they had just received a cable from the Belgian Ambassador in Washington substantially as follows: Secretary of State told the Ambassador that the American Government wish to see maritime communications with Belgium kept open; the American Government felt that the best procedure was to get in touch with London to examine possible measures to be taken for overcoming blockade difficulties; after the American and British Governments had been in communication the former would get in touch with Belgium and Holland.
Secretary General has referred to this matter several times in my conversations with him in the intervening days. The Dutch felt that this probably had some connection with subject matter of the conversation referred to in Department’s 69 of August 30, 5 p.m. and wondered whether a similar communication would be sent here. Secretary General says that the Belgians appear to be uncertain as to whether we intend first to talk to London and then approach Holland [Page 732] and Belgium but the Dutch interpret the message to mean this. A very brief telegram of clarification would be appreciated.
- i. e., the last three paragraphs of the telegram under reference.↩