File No. 763.72115/2558

The Chargé in Germany (Grew) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

4625. Department’s 3539, November 2, 6 p. m. Belgian workmen. I have been promised an interview with the Chancellor, to take place within a day or two upon his return from General Headquarters. I was obliged to delay asking for the interview until obtaining certain essential information from our legation at Brussels, which has only recently been received. In the meantime it was announced from some source other than the Embassy, and published in the German press, that I had been instructed to seek such an interview. This announcement induced the Spanish Ambassador, who represents Belgian interests in Germany, to ask for a similar interview with the Chancellor although his official representations to the Foreign Office on behalf of the Belgian workmen had been futile. The interview was granted to him immediately although I believe he applied for it at about the same time that I did. Under the circumstances I thought it best to tell the Spanish Ambassador that my representations to the Chancellor were to be purely informal and unofficial, but that if he wished to talk the matter over with me I should be very glad to call on him. This he [agreed] to do, and I had two long and most friendly conferences with him both before and after he saw the Chancellor. He presented the matter in practically the same way and brought out the same points which I expect to emphasize, and he informs me that while no actual revocation of the policy of deportation can be expected, the Chancellor seems favorably disposed to consider certain points of amelioration in the manner of carrying out the measures. I believe that the net result of these developments is fortunate, as the representations of the Spanish Ambassador will have added weight to the representations of our Government.

The Swiss Minister called on me to-day in order to discuss the general subject.

Grew