File No. 124.55/23
The Minister formerly in Belgium (Whitlock) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 6, 10.30 a.m.]
50. I have the honor to report that I arrived in Berne this evening at 6 o’clock accompanied by entire staff of Legation, by Diederich [Page 659] and his staff, Johnson and his staff, and by all the members of the Commission for Relief in Belgium with the exception of 10. We had already sent out 7 members of the commission who, after having been 50 hours en route, arrived here Saturday afternoon, March 31. Nasmith left at 1 o’clock Monday for Holland. The family of Heingartner preferred to remain at Liege until the arrival of the son from Vienna. The German authorities readily agreed that they might leave when they desire. They were going to retain Sherman but I induced them to recede from this determination, and he came out with his family. Arrangements have been made for the departure of the few remaining Americans who wish to leave Belgium. I also brought out Chinese Legation consisting of 15 persons, including Chargé d’Affaires, Secretary of Legation, and their families, and the son of the Minister.
The 10 members of the commission who remained in Brussels are Gray, who preferred to stay as temporary director; Neville, Degruchy, and St. Amour, accountants, who remained at Gregory’s instructions to close their books; and Wickes, Stone, Pate, Van Hee, Dangerfield and Carstairs, who, in accordance with regulations governing persons coming from zone of military operations, were required by the military authorities to remain in Brussels. They will remain for a period not exceeding four weeks from the date of their leaving Étape and in the meantime will assist in installing new members of the commission. Absolute written guaranties have been given by German authorities for their safe-conduct in any event. They are being courteously treated, and no apprehension need be felt concerning them.
German authorities first told me that these members of the commission would have to be in quarantine in Germany for a period of four weeks before they would be able to depart. They were induced to relax this measure so far as it concerned the delegates in the territory of the general government whose quarantine would then consist merely in a brief sojourn in Brussels. Finally, after several conferences, they abandoned this requirement altogether save as it applied to the six men previously mentioned, in whose case military authorities were inflexible and insisted on applying a rule that governs everyone who has been in the zone of military operations.
Then other difficulties arose. The authorities stated that the Legation could go at any time, the consuls and the commission would be required to remain because it would be impossible to provide special train for all the party. I replied that unless the consuls and the commission were permitted to accompany me I would not leave Belgium until after they had gone. This state of affairs continued until last Friday, when in a final interview with Lancken I told him that whatever the consequences I would not leave until after the [Page 660] others. After that their attitude changed and every courtesy was shown us. A special train was provided, and we left Brussels at 5 yesterday afternoon, April 2, and were taken to Zingen on the Swiss frontier by the most direct route as guests of the Imperial Government.
I should like to express my appreciation as well as that of the entire party, of the courtesy shown to us by the Governor General himself, by Baron von der Lancken, of the political department, by Count von Moltke, who made the arrangements for the train, and by Baron von Falkenhausen, who accompanied us to the frontier. Our departure from Brussels caused real sorrow and the scenes attending it were most touching. Silent crowds surrounded railway stations and gathered at street crossings, waving farewells. I had advised against manifestations and this mute sorrow was more affecting than the demonstration that would have occurred in normal times. I received addresses and deputations from the city of Brussels, the city of Antwerp, from proximate communes, the national committee, the National Bank, etc.
We were met at Zurich by the American Minister to Berne.
All members of the party are well, but because of the excessive anxiety as to the last 14 months we are all so weary that we shall take a few days rest in Switzerland. I shall then proceed directly to Havre.