File No. 855.48/482
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page)
4527. Your 5811, March 9, 10 a.m., and 5819, March 9, 5 p.m. Hoover strongly holds view, and Department agrees with him, that the relief commission has now become a national matter, and that [Page 652] any action on its part to bring about voluntary liquidation or cessation of its work would have a disastrous effect on public opinion. If conflicts arise between the Allied Governments and the Germans as to the handling of food, shipping, and other matters in connection with the relief, it is all the more essential that the committee make every effort to solve these difficulties as they arise; if a solution is not found, the responsibility for failure will not rest upon the commission. But for the commission to force a liquidation along the lines suggested in Mr. Poland’s telegram would be positively disastrous. In general it is Hoover’s view that the relief commission should continue its work until the last possible moment, and until it is forced out by one government or the other. Hoover is leaving immediately for London, where he will arrive about March 24. It is important that in the meantime no action shall be taken looking to withdrawal. So long as the American members of the commission remain at their posts the attitude of the Spanish as indicated by Mr. Poland need cause no concern.
The Department has to-day telegraphed Mr. Whitlock that it feels strongly that the commission should continue its work until forced to desist. He is instructed to take no steps looking to withdrawal pending receipt of further instructions.