File No. 855.48/742
The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10.56 p.m.]
10024. For Hoover [from Relief Commission]:
96. We are completely in accord your Washington, 53,1 that the decisions giving priority to Relief are useless unless backed by heads of Governments. Have therefore asked Monsieur Clemenceau to insist with Great Britain and United States that priority be established as a war measure and shall attempt similar action here. Since United States was party to priority decisions of conferences Paris December 5 and April 23, Colonel House being present at former, we beg that United States in accord with decisions will also insist on practical application of priority as a war measure. Attitude here seems to be friendly, ready to proceed in accord with Paris resolution, if necessary ships are guaranteed to them immediately, otherwise they refuse responsibility. For the future we understand Ministry of Shipping believes it can afford to furnish one half amount of tonnage which they deem necessary to make up shortage, provided United States furnish other half. We are asked to beg to urge that United States agree to this original agreement, otherwise there appears [Page 481] indicate refusal to concur in priority Relief cargoes at the expense of transport of men and munitions. If this position is taken by our War Department there is but one possible outcome, namely, starvation in Belgium. The respective Governments now have to decide as a matter of war policy whether the people are to be starved or fed; there is no middle course. Wheat to be [We are at] a complete impasse. In order to meet the critical requirements for May loading, in addition to the Pacific and Gustaf Adolf in United States, the British offer to allocate to the Relief three vessels, if the United States will furnish same tonnage. Our negotiations here are being rendered difficult by statement purporting to come from your office that 90,000 tons would be sufficient for Relief. This is entirely incorrect, for, on account of tonnage from the United Kingdom which must now be supplied from United States, we require 110,000 tons monthly of cargo plus 5,000 tons allowance lost space account general cargo together with 16,600 tons present bunker requirements to reduce to ship dead weight, making total monthly dead-weight ship requirements 132,000 tons against which, on account of reduction Belgian fleet, this will provide but 47,000 tons dead weight monthly leaving shortage to be made up by neutral charters monthly of 85,000 tons dead weight. The figures which we understand were forwarded in British telegram today to Lord Reading to be submitted are inadequate to provide the approved programme. Concerning Johnson boats we beg you will insist on proposals outlined your cable received May 91 being carried out without new conditions being imposed this side. These continually repeated new conditions have effectually prevented our getting these ships in our service. Relief Commission.