740.00112 European War 1939/91: Telegram

The Ambassador in Belgium (Davies) to the Secretary of State

137. For the President and Secretary of State. Supplementing Wilson’s cables 132, September 12, and 135, September 15, midnight,30 I report that I had conferences today with Prime Minister Pierlot and Foreign Minister Spaak and ascertained the following:

(1)
Belgium is trying desperately to preserve its neutrality and still avoid inciting German aggression.
(2)
Situation is grave and growing worse.
(3)
The British some days ago proposed a formal agreement with Belgium providing that the British blockade would [not?] prevent Belgium imports of foodstuffs and raw materials which were necessary for the use of the Belgian population but which imposed conditions that would assure that there shall be no reexport of such commodities to Germany contrary to British interests. Last week Germany threatened that if neutrals accepted the imposition of such blockade conditions, Germany would no longer consider such countries neutral and would act accordingly. I am informed from other sources that a special German mission has been here for some days insisting that exports to Germany shall be the same as heretofore. Minister Spaak advises that yesterday, Sunday, the Foreign Office here received a still more severe and “menacing” note from Germany containing the implied threat that if Belgium did not protect her sovereign rights and her neutrality herself, Germany would be prepared to protect such neutral rights for her.
(4)
While recognizing the belligerent rights of Britain and the necessities of that situation Belgium, nevertheless, is trying to avoid an explicit formal agreement with either belligerent and is trying to solve or alleviate the situation by securing an arrangement whereby each individual case may be settled as it arises. Unless this is effected there is great fear that Germany will be incited to immediate action and possible invasion.
(5)
Both officials expressed the desire to keep the United States fully and completely informed of each development in the situation.

Davies
  1. Neither printed.