811.24 Raw Materials/175: Telegram
The Ambassador in Belgium (Davies) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 17—10 a.m.]
77. The substance of the Department’s telegrams 34, June 8, 3 p.m.; and 36, June 14, 11 a.m.,26 was conveyed to the Director General of the Political Division of the Foreign Office. At the same time the Department’s point in telegram No. 31, June 2, 6 p.m., that the best means of avoiding transportation difficulties after the outbreak of hostilities would be to expedite negotiations was made.
In reply the Director General conveyed the impression that Belgium was not primarily interested in acquiring stocks now of what he again called perishable goods but might be willing to agree to the proposed exchange of stocks of raw materials if the present negotiations could also include the devising of a formula whereby Belgium could be assured of being able to continue to obtain foodstuffs after the outbreak of a war in which Belgium and the United States should be neutral and Belgium would be affected adversely by a British blockade.
- Latter not printed.↩