File No. 656.119/202
The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 6, 4.57 p.m.]
8917. War Trade Board [from Sheldon]:
No. 235. Your 6709, State Department February 27. Cecil informs me the War Cabinet have approved the proposal to give the Dutch until Monday next to agree to the definite tonnage agreement in consideration for which Holland shall be furnished 100,000 tons of bread grains, and failure acceptance of this that all Dutch boats should be requisitioned. Cecil informs me that he has communicated to their British Chargé d’Affaires to postpone Dutch sailing. Have asked the French to do likewise. I understand that nine Dutch boats have left American ports under modus vivendi; if so, please give us the names and destinations. It is suggested that they should be kept track of to prevent their escaping in cases of requisition.
An intercepted cable from the Dutch Foreign Office at The Hague to the Dutch Consul at Baltimore inquires the date and hour of sailing, the date and hour of arrival last year of some 21 Dutch boats. Whilst this may be for statistical purposes, it may be significant-Could you state where steamship Wieldrecht is now located?