File No. 855.48/43

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Germany ( Gerard )

[Telegram]

677. At the request of the Commission for Belgian Relief, you may obtain if possible from the German Government safe passage of British as well as neutral ships bound for Rotterdam with food for starving Belgians. Such ships will fly the commission’s flag. Please ask German Government also whether permission of military authorities in Belgium may be obtained for Americans with automobiles to go from place to place engaged in food distribution. Such Americans will carry commission’s flag and have letters each with bearer’s photograph from the commission, countersigned by the Spanish and American Ambassadors at London.

Lansing