File No. 103.97/471
The Chargé in Great Britain ( Laughlin) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 17, 3.30 p.m.]
2869. For Hoover from Poland:
C.R.B. 131. Wednesday. Your 80.2 We are entirely in accord. Most of steps you outlined have been taken as per my 129 and by subsequent action. No indications yet that refugees have entered Holland but French Government have approached Dutch asking them to shelter refugees and have asked us to allocate supplies required or agree to recompense Dutch later in case they provide foodstuff from local stocks. To all of this I have agreed N[etherlands] O[versea] T[rust] conditions to be observed. British have approved action. Germans apparently making efforts to remove for feeding civil population all relief stocks as evacuations proceed and have agreed in case of failure to make good deficit. Only small numbers of people at present remaining behind, but these conditions may change. At joint meeting with British concerning 50,000 tons reserve rations it appeared that whatever stocks necessary can be provided, as you suggest, in small part from Great Britain or from stocks now in France. Feeding of the people in early stages at least can be entirely cared for by British, French, Belgian military organizations assisted by their civil committees already organized, without the intervention of Commission. This in accordance with my suggestion to French and Belgian Governments which I knew were in accord with your views. In addition British military have arranged to provide 20,000,000 emergency rations, and French military [Page 490] now being asked to do same. In all this emergency work behind the line my position has been that the Commission is only concerned in helping obtain assurance that all adequate provisions are being made and acting as intermediary when necessary. American Treasury representatives London confused director C.I.R.1 with director C.R.B. and advised Treasury that I recommend the 20,000,000 British military rations to be paid for out of C.R.B. funds. While I consider it imperative that respective Armies feed released populations, they alone being able to carry out distribution and accountability, I did not make above recommendation, nor do I believe Commission should be involved in any way, but that adjustments should be made between respective Governments alone. I have, however, advised that if the price of assurance of feeding the civil populations by the military is that same be paid out of Commission funds, I am of course in accord if you approve. I am sure both French and British military have always planned to take this action. Concerning aid for refugees in Holland I took tentative steps in Paris to re-collect C.R.B. men and think we can count on a number. Of course all important decisions will be referred to you. Poland, Relief Commission.