856D.6176/373: Telegram (part air)
The Chargé in the Netherlands (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 14—6:55 a.m.]
68. Department’s telegram 38, December 5, 4 p.m.10 Colonel Townsend, Mr. Newman and Viles saw Van Gelderen, chief Netherlands Delegate in the International Rubber Committee yesterday afternoon. He gave them satisfactory assurances. The Dutch think more or less as we do but are not prepared to vote for a reduction of restriction to 20 per cent unless they are convinced that there are no technical obstacles and that that much rubber can be delivered.
I did some informal groundwork before their arrival but Colonel Townsend thinks that written or oral representations in the sense of the Department’s instruction unnecessary at the moment. I agree. There is no resentment at all here such as appears to exist in London but will nevertheless take no further steps unless instructed.