740.00112 European War 1939/646: Telegram
The Chargé in Belgium (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 2—10:45 a.m.]
210. From Berlin:
2187, November 30, 10 a.m. My 2173, November 29, 1 p.m.65 During the past few days German newspapers have given prominent attention in their news and editorial columns to protests by neutral countries to Great Britain’s order for the seizure of German sea-borne exports, but they have refrained from any discussion of the attitude of the United States toward this action on the part of Great Britain.
I have received no intimation from Foreign Office official of German concern with respect to the British move or the American reaction thereto, but economic officials of the Reich in conversation have taken occasion to present the view that in Germany it was not expected that the United States would make any effective protest in regard to British [Page 785] seizure of German exports to America. Certain officials have even professed the belief that Great Britain had obtained the acquiescence of the American Government before announcing the measures in question. In developing this point of view these officials claim that the proclamation forbidding belligerent submarines to touch at American ports66 has been extended to include merchant submarines such as the Deutschland type which made commercial voyages during the World War, and this alleged act is cited as an example of American support of British blockade measures. Kirk.