File No. 656.119/219
The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page ) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 15, 6.20 p.m.]
9071. War Trade Board [from Sheldon]:
No. 290. Dutch negotiations. I suggest you see the Foreign Office telegram to Lord Reading sent March 14.1 Following is text of a letter I have just written to Lord Robert Cecil; at the same time communicated to him the contents of your cables Nos. 194, 195, 197, and 200:2
I take it that at the moment of requisitioning, the Ministers of His Majesty’s Government, the United States, France, and Italy will present either an aide-mémoire or a note verbale to the Dutch Minister for Foreign Affairs. I think it would be a good idea, if, even before the Dutch reply to outstanding proposal is received, a statement should be [presented] as to what the Allies were prepared to allow Holland to import in addition to the 100,000 tons of bread-stuffs which forms part of the proposal, and in addition to the release of ships and cargoes mentioned in the cable from Washington No. 195 I understand the position of His Majesty’s Government is that practically no concessions should be granted in the way of supplies to Holland unless the Netherlands Government announce its willingness to conclude the general terms of the proposed permanent agreement. It has been suggested that Dutch public opinion would be greatly placated, in case the boats are requisitioned, or even in case, on the threat of requisition, the Dutch Government agrees to allow boats in Allied ports to enter war zone, if the embargo could be lifted under quarter’s rations as specified in the proposed agreement on the following commodities: gas, oil, lubricating oil, rosin, cocoa, tea, coffee, and tanning materials, or at least some of the foregoing. I submit the following for your consideration [Page 1414] and am communicating with Washington in this sense suggesting that they cable simultaneously to the United States Minister at The Hague and to myself their views to the end that the four Ministers at The Hague, representing the four Governments, should have as full instructions from their Governments as is possible for composing the text of whatever joint notification is to be made to the Netherlands Foreign Office.