File No. 763.72115/2592
The Minister in Belgium (Whitlock) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 29, 11.45 p. m.]
21. Grew telegraphs result of his conversations with Chancellor which naturally encourages us here. The orders, however, have probably not yet been put into effect, as recruitment of Belgian workmen continued without distinction between employed and unemployed. Am credibly informed that choice is made with great rapidity, allowing no time for examination. In province of Namur where a mayor had given list of unemployed as one hundred Germans, practically none of the persons so indicated were taken, while hundreds of employed [Page 868] workmen were taken from the same district. Germans seemingly base choice only on physical fitness and skill of workmen. Iron workers and blacksmiths greatly in demand. Nine men working for Comité National and provided with identification cards from Commission Belief Belgium which were respected at Antwerp, were taken at Mons, over thirty at Namur, and a few each day in various parts of the country. This, however, is small percentage, since over 40,000 are engaged in various departments of relief work.
Am credibly informed that very bad conditions exist in province of Valenciennes, France, where many men have been taken. They have no blankets and have been without food for 63 hours. It is supposed that they have been deprived of food to force them to work.