File No. 855.48/797
The Chargé in Great Britain ( Laughlin) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8.11 p.m.]
706. British Treasury informed me today that in view of present military operations in Flanders and the imminent evacuation by enemy of territory hitherto occupied, Belgian Government and Director of Commission for Relief have obtained approval of Foreign Office for relief of liberated Belgian population to be undertaken at present by Relief Commission who are in consultation with Hoover.
According to confidential military information this relief will be required within next few days and to avoid complicating position by calling upon Commission to divert floating cargoes, British War Office has agreed, subject to approval of British Treasury, to supply immediate requirements up to 20,000,000 rations from army stocks. British Treasury desired to know today if we will allow Commission for Relief to reimburse them in dollars for supplies so furnished such as flour, meat, condensed milk, at [same price] purchased by them from us in order to replace corresponding amount of stock. I informed them I could not make any commitment and could not consult Crosby because of interruption in telephone line, but that on account of urgency and importance of situation, would recommend it as an exception not to be considered as a precedent. War Office requiring immediate answer in order to augment its stocks in proportion to anticipated demands. British Treasury gave its approval but requested me to submit matter to you. Understand civil population will necessarily have to be supplied for short time from supplies of occupying army. Total value for 20,000,000 rations estimated at $5,000,000 of which approximately one-half represents above items for which dollars or replacement would be requested. While rations supplied to population under such circumstances will probably be more liberal than ordinary allotments, understand this will eventually reduce correspondingly purchases of Relief Commission in America.