File No. 855.48/740
The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 14, 2.14 a.m.]
10025. For Hoover [from Poland]:
97. Referring to our 96 this date, we understand on excellent authority that United States Shipping Board inquired of British War Office if they concurred in furnishing 60,000 tons required to fulfill Relief programme in order to give effect to the resolution of priority, which tonnage must be allocated at expense of shipment of men and munitions, and that British War Office replied they did not concur in this action. It appears to us that this is the dividing of [Page 482] the ways and that the United States Government together with Great Britain has now to make the decision as to whether or not the people in Belgium and northern France are to be fed. Purely as a war measure and independent of all considerations of humanity and the debt owed to our own allies, we are sure the feeding of the people of the occupied territories is equally as important as the shipment of troops and food to Britain and France. We are sure that if this question were left to the decision of the public of Great Britain and the United States, Belgium and France would be fed. Do you not believe the time has come to lay the situation before the public? And also will you not take this up personally with the President as we are taking it up with Monsieur Clemenceau and the Prime Minister? As a temporary measure to meet the May requirements we urge you to secure the concurrence of United States with the British proposal as outlined in our 96, as we feel sure this is all they will do at this time and [it] at least establishes joint governmental responsibility. Poland.