740.0011 European War 1939/2787: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Heath) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:10 a.m.]
1265. At 5:30 this morning Ribbentrop54 summoned the chiefs of mission of Holland, Belgium and Luxemburg and read them statements advising them of Germany’s determination to “safeguard the neutrality” of their countries by military measures.
In the lengthy identic memoranda read to the diplomatic representatives of the Dutch and Belgian Governments, which was subsequently [Page 191] read by Ribbentrop before a conference for the foreign press, it was stated that it was the Allies’ real intention to attack Germany by an invasion of Holland and Belgium, and the latter Governments were respectively charged with having compromised their neutrality in the following ways: The pro-Ally and anti-German attitude of their press, intrigue with British Secret Service agents for the fomenting of revolution in Germany, military collusion with the Allies in violation of their neutrality declarations, Belgium’s action in fortifying exclusively its eastern frontier against Germany, Dutch failure to prevent flights of British planes over Dutch territory, and the recent concentrations of troops on the Dutch and Belgian frontiers with Germany. The memorandum stated that Germany was being unwillingly forced into military action, the sole responsibility for which lay upon the Allies and the culpable officials of Holland and Belgium. It was asserted that Germany by its action did not intend to attack the integrity of these two countries or their possessions in Europe or in the colonies either now or in the future. The memorandum concluded with an appeal for nonresistance and with a statement that any opposition offered would be crushed with every means.
The memorandum to the Luxemburg Government refers to the frustration of German efforts to neutralize Luxemburg by international agreement and states that in view of Luxemburg’s territorial position it had been necessary to include it within the scope of German military action. In his declaration to the foreign press Ribbentrop stated that after receiving proof of the Allies’ intention [to] land troops in Holland and Belgium for an attack upon the Ruhr the Fuehrer had decided to take Dutch and Belgian neutrality under his protection and cause the German Army to deal with the Allies in a language they will understand. Two lengthy documents were circulated to the foreign press the first of which is a report prepared by the German Army high command outlining the alleged unneutral military measures of Holland and Belgium and the second of which is a report signed by Himmler55 describing the activities of British agents in these two countries.
The Embassy understands that in his interview with Ribbentrop, the Belgian Ambassador heatedly denied the existence of Belgian secret understandings with the Allies and told Ribbentrop that the invasion of his country was a criminal adventure which would be as unfortunate for Germany as it was in 1914. It is understood that the Belgian Ambassador inquired whether an actual invasion had as yet occurred and said that if this were the case he would demand his passports. The Foreign Office is reported to have stated that it was [Page 192] as yet uninformed on this point. This Embassy is informed that up to the present the Belgian Ambassador has not been able to get in touch with his Government, although telephone communication had been promised him by the German Foreign Office.