File No. 763.72119/388
The Minister in the Netherlands ( Van Dyke) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 22.]
Sir: Referring to my despatch No. 603, of December 30,1 in regard to the President’s note of December 18, suggesting to both parties of the belligerents that they might make a clear statement of the terms on which each side would be willing to consider the question of peace, I have the honour to enclose an extract from the Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant in relation to this subject. I give an English translation of this extract herewith:
Mr. Van Best, a member of the House of Representatives, sent in on December 27 the following questions in regard to measures for the promotion of peace:
- (1)
- Is it known to the Foreign Minister that the President of the United States of America has delivered a note for the promotion of peace to the belligerent nations?
- (2)
- Is it known to the Minister that the Swiss Government has been informed of the sending of this note?
- (3)
- Is it known to the Minister that the Swiss Government has sent a note expressing sympathy therewith to the belligerents?
- (4)
- Can the Minister inform us whether the Netherland Government has taken steps in connection with the above-named circumstances for the promotion of peace, and in case it has not done so, can the Minister explain why it was not done?
The answer of Mr. Loudon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, sent in on the 5th of January, reads as follows:
- (1)
- to the first question: Yes.
- (2)
- to the second question: No.
- (3)
- to the third question: Yes.
- (4)
- to the fourth question: The Netherland Government has taken no steps for the promotion of peace in connection with the above-mentioned circumstances. [Page 24] It has refrained from doing so because it was convinced that such steps on its part under the present conditions, would not be of any service to the end in view.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed.↩