File No. 656.119/298
The Minister in the Netherlands ( Garrett ) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 2, 2 a.m.]
2232. I had a conversation this morning with the Minister for Foreign Affairs—the first time I have been able to see him since the publication here of the President’s statement on the 22d March. He has been ill in bed since then, and the two Cabinet meetings that have taken place and at which he presented for ratification his statement which I cabled you March 30, my No. 2228, and presumably his formal protests which have been sent to London and Washington, but of which I have not yet been able to see copies, were held at his private house. Your 1070, March 29, was received yesterday morning and it was as result of it that I went to see Loudon. Despite his statement the effect of which could not be foreseen, I wished to make certain that he knew that the United States had been willing generously to become a party to an arrangement for assuring supplies to Holland somewhat in the manner provided for Belgian Relief; to discuss the facilities of supplies other than the 100,000 tons [Page 1449] of cereals already offered, and to give specific guarantees similar to those already given for the Poeldijk and Maasdijk.
Loudon seemed in a very depressed state. I told him that I had telegraphed his statement to you and that I would not discuss it with him. He gave me to believe, in regard to carrying on further negotiations, that his two protests above mentioned as far as Holland is concerned closed the matter, and that it would be up to the Associated Governments to make the next steps. I asked him what the result would be if no further steps were made and he said that Holland would have then to get along as well as she could. He did not talk about the actions of Germany which have rendered these negotiations futile up to now. He said that he had continued to hope and believe that the negotiations would come to a satisfactory end until the final step had been taken of requisitioning the ships, which he said of course ended everything, and that if anything were done now they would have to be begun all over again from the beginning. I did not refer to any of the criticisms that he made in his statement.
On account of the holidays no newspapers have been published in Holland yesterday and today. I expect, however, unless the situation changes, to make use of your telegram No. 1070 tomorrow with the idea of making it plain publicly that we were willing and ready to come to the assistance of Holland and that it is no fault of ours if this aid is rejected or made impossible of realization.