811.04418/460: Telegram
The Ambassador in Belgium (Davies) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 5—2:55 p.m.]
85. For the President and Secretary of State: Referring to your telegram of July 2, 2 p.m., the reaction to the vote of the House of Representatives on neutrality legislation among those who were informed here was one of thwarted hope, distress and deep disappointment. The Prime Minister stated that he was deeply disappointed (“Je suis très degu”.). During the past 6 weeks many Belgians in official and other circles have of their own initiative inquired of me as to the prospects of the neutrality legislation and have manifested deep concern. Fear has been expressed to me that the action of Congress might be the decisive factor in the next move of the aggressors which is feared to be imminent and that it might be a contributing cause to possible speedy hostilities. There is much confusion as to [Page 665] just what the situation at home is but to a surprising degree in the cafés and on the streets here the action of Congress was followed and discussed with apprehension. The pathos of the situation here is intense. To my personal knowledge men and particularly women are in deadly fear of war and its horrors to them in a situation where they can do nothing to prevent it themselves.
Generally the feeling here is that in case of war the people do not expect America to join in the war with manpower but they pathetically have a conviction that the American people are fundamentally sympathetic with the attitude of European democracies against aggression and for the settlement of issues by conference and a despairing hope that the American people will render all such assistance as may be possible in a material way short of sending American soldiers. Any action looking to the prevention of possible shipment of arms and munitions which is paid for and delivered in the United States causes intense disappointment. The reaction on the policy of the Belgian Government I think will not be appreciable. They are intent on preserving neutrality; but the failure to repeal the arms embargo will probably increase the hesitation of the Belgian Government to buy American material because of the uncertainty of being able to replace or service it in time of war.
The Government is desperately trying to prevent their country from again being the battlefield. The hope in my opinion will be impossible of realization. The European press of the totalitarian states is profuse in jubilation over this set-back to the democracies. I have no hesitation in expressing an opinion that the Congressional action gave aid and comfort to the aggressors and quite possibly may be a definite factor in the determination of their immediate plans.