File No. 656.119/730

The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

1556. War Trade Board [from Sheldon]:

1351. Dutch N[ederlandsche] U[itvoer] M[aatschappy] have expressed a desire to Foreign Office to send delegates to London to negotiate for a fish agreement the broad outlines of which are that 5,000 tons may be exported from Holland each quarter, provided that two-fifth of this amount to go to Belgian relief. The Foreign Office submitted to A[llied] B[lockade] C[ommittee] the suggestion of N.U.M. to come to London to negotiate, and A.B.C. [replied] that delegates of the Associated Governments would be prepared to meet the N.U.M. delegates on the understanding that the agreement would be subject to ratification by the Dutch Government, and should be scheduled with a general agreement, should one later be concluded with Holland.

The communication that Snouck made privately to our Legation with a view to sounding the Associated Governments as to what exports to the Central Powers would be permitted, would lead to the belief that the Dutch are anxious to come to terms with Associated Governments, before coming to an agreement with Central Powers. [Page 1529] The obvious answer to the Dutch inquiries is: that no intimation can be given as to the exports which will be allowed to the Central Powers, until a definite agreement is concluded between Holland and the Associated Governments, and I believe that there is now more hope of the Dutch sending negotiators here if only the constitution of the new Dutch Government could be determined. Foreign Office are rather inclined to the belief that it would be advisable to start negotiations here with the representatives of the N[etherlands] O[versea] T[rust] which could subsequently be ratified by the Dutch Government.

Mr. Garrett has been shown the foregoing. He approves of the plan to start negotiations with the N.O.T. in the belief that should an accord be reached with N.O.T. delegates, whatever government were in power would find it very difficult not to ratify the accord, owing to the strong opinion that would exist in Holland for its conclusion. The London Times today contains a despatch from The Hague according to which the new Dutch ministry is expected to be constituted this week, with Ruys de Beerenbrouck, Minister of the Interior, and Yan Karnebeek, Minister for Foreign Affairs. Foreign Office have received report from Townley containing interesting information which though unofficial was obtained from confidential sources to which they attach importance. He reports that a remarkable change has recently taken place in the attitude of the Dutch toward an agreement with the Allies. He believes that the new Cabinet may be formed within a few days which would be inspired by more favorable spirit to Associated Governments and that an agreement might be reached on the basis of acceptance of previous proposals for agreement. Foreign Office earnestly hopes that for a short time at least you will abandon proposed plan of offering temporary rations or contemplating any concessions regarding Dutch imports.

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