File No. 855.48/511
The Minister in Belgium (Whitlock) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 23, 4.20 p.m.]
48. Have succeeded in securing from the German authorities written assurances that the members of the commission may leave Belgium when they choose, even in case of war, but that in order to satisfy the military requirements the members may be kept as it were in quarantine for a period of not exceeding four weeks. The authorities add orally that this four-week period would be required only in the event of war and as regards the men from northern France The usual period would not exceed two weeks and would consist in either event in a simple residence at a hotel without confinement and with freedom of movement in the city.
Seven commission members at Gregory’s orders expect to leave on 24th and will spend two weeks at Baden-Baden en route Switzerland.