File No. 855.48/195

The Minister in the Netherlands (Van Dyke) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

173. German Minister here has received instructions which prevent giving safe-conduct for the ships of the Commission for Relief in Belgium from Rotterdam unless they take the route north of Shetlands.2 I have informed him on advices from Hoover in London that this policy will probably result in stopping the action of commission. He has telegraphed to Berlin for further instructions. I would advise strong representations through the medium of American Ambassador at Berlin to secure respect for commission flag and safe conduct for their ships direct to and from Rotterdam.

Van Dyke
  1. On March 2, the office of the commission in New York reported the receipt of a similar notification from the German Embassy regarding ships bound for Rotterdam (File No. 855.48/197).