File No. 763.72115/2585
The Chargé in Germany (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Telegram]
Berlin,
November 24, 1916, 4 p. m.
[Received November 25, 6.30 p. m.]
[Received November 25, 6.30 p. m.]
4645. Referring to my 4635, November 22, 7 p. m. In reply to the various points of amelioration in the carrying out of the measures of impressment and deportation of Belgian workmen which I had informally suggested to the Chancellor as a concession to Belgian national feeling and foreign opinion, and which were based principally upon advice which I had received confidentially from the Minister at Brussels, the Chancellor to-day communicated to me informally and orally through his adjutant the following answers:
- 1.
- Only actual unemployed are to be deported, according to original edict, after careful selection.
- 2.
- Married men and fathers of families when actually unemployed can not be exempted in principle, but each case will be examined on its own merits.
- 3.
- Employees of Comité National are regarded as actually employed and therefore exempted from deportation.
- 4.
- Correspondence of deported persons with their families in Belgium is permitted.
- 5.
- Belgian authorities can not be exempted from requirement that they furnish list of unemployed, as lists would otherwise be incomplete and liable to error. Only one Belgian official imprisoned for refusing to submit lists. Orders have been given for his release.
- 6.
- Places of work of deported persons will in principle be open to inspection by Spanish diplomatic representatives. American inspection might also be informally arranged if desired. Am informing Legation at Brussels of the foregoing.
Grew