740.00112 European War 1939/836: Telegram
The Minister in the Netherlands (Gordon) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 21—3:40 p.m.]
320. Foreign Office has just given me in strict confidence text of British note replying to Dutch note of protest reported in my 287, November 22, 5 p.m. Essence of British note is claim that a belligerent’s right of retaliation which inherently constitutes a departure from ordinary rules is well recognized in international law and that British reprisal measures have a similar objective, and consequently are the most appropriate counter to Germany’s illegal attempts to stop all maritime trade with Britain. The Dutch assertion that these measures are of “an odious character” appears to have markedly irritated the British.
Text of note by tomorrow’s pouch.73
- Not printed.↩