File No. 855.48/483

The Netherland Minister ( Van Rappard ) to the Secretary of State

Confirmation

The Netherland Minister presents his compliments to his excellency the Secretary of State and begs leave to bring to the latter’s [Page 638] notice that in case the American citizens now engaged in the relief work in Belgium would be compelled by the circumstances to leave that country, the Netherland Government would be glad to form a committee of Dutch subjects who would work under its patronage and take over, either alone or in concerted action with other neutrals, the duties till now performed by the American commission.