File No. 656.119/327

The Minister in the Netherlands ( Garrett) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

2276. Your 7130, April 3, 5 [7] p.m., for Sheldon, has been repeated to me and I have also received your 1078, April 4, 6 p.m.1 I think it is useless at this date to continue suggesting to Holland that [Page 1451] all she has to do is to send ships to fetch the grain she needs. She cannot send ships and she knows it, and the suggestion seems like an evasion. It is absolutely necessary that grain should be on the way here very soon if not to prevent famine at least to prevent outbreaks of which there have been several in the last few days. It is a fact that the poor people are suffering. They depend on bread. Excesses might offer an excuse to Germany to “restore order” as on the eastern front.

I have given out a statement which has been published in all the papers based on points 4, 5, 6, and 7 of your 1070, March 29, 6 p.m. The other points being controversial, I thought better not to use them. The statement is being commented on hopefully and there is, unless I am mistaken, a tendency to believe in us and look to us. Perhaps all that is needed even now is that we should make a new frank offer without impracticable conditions. My French colleague and I have just been talking over the situation. We are neither of us able to judge the military necessity of the moment but we are able to judge the state of feeling here. We believe—if allowed [to carry out] suggestion that has been made to the French Minister by a Dutch statesman today—that the situation can be met. The suggestion is not altogether novel, but we believe that it might turn the sentiment back to where we want it and put our enemy in a position where the responsibility for suffering here will be thrown on him. We suggest to you that if military exigencies permit it you announce immediately that two Dutch ships in our ports are allowed to leave with the first part of the 100,000 tons of grain for Her Imperial Majesty, Holland; two Dutch ships of equal tonnage to leave here at the same time. No demands such as referred to in your 1078 above should be coupled with your announcement. To have its effect it must be unrestricted. Allizé tells me in confidence that he is advised that such a proposition would be acceptable to the Dutch Government. I think there is little doubt of its being received by the people with joy.

Garrett
  1. The latter not printed.