File No. 861.48/72

The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page ) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

3914. Your 2945, February 26, 4 p. m., and my 3865, February 28, 12 noon. British official circles unofficially report serious opposition to Polish relief because of wish to exert greatest possible economic pressure on Germany and because of reported German seizure of foodstuffs from population. I have unofficially handed to Sir Edward Grey a plan of relief drawn up by Hoover and Walcott which imposes upon the Germans the necessity of themselves importing food into Poland and of supplying money to pay for food to be imported by the commission. Walcott reports Germans will agree to this condition; the food to be distributed as in Belgium under control of Americans.

Since the pressure here of the press and of public opinion is strong for a complete prohibition of foodstuffs into Germany for any purpose, and since the British Government is divided and hesitant, Hoover [and] Walcott request me to ask if you and possibly the President will not impress upon Spring Rice the humane view of this situation. The Commission for Belief in Belgium is the only organization that can do this work and the British Government have full confidence in the commission. Their hesitancy comes from pressure of military opinion and from distrust of German guarantees or agreements.

American Ambassador