124.55/74: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 27—8:50 a.m.]
418. The following is the substance of a confidential message dated May 22nd which I have just received from Cudahy for transmission to you:
Request message to the families of all at the Embassy and Consulate that they are all well.
All codes except Gray have been destroyed. Cudahy has been with-out communication since May 16th but is led to believe that they may be reestablished in about 10 days’ time. Representations on the subject in Berlin might be helpful.
The occupation of Belgium by the German Army, he says, has reduced our usefulness in Belgium. There are only a few Americans left and the work of the Embassy in a very short time will be confined to the representation of the six missions whose interests the United States has taken over (Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, South Africa, Canada, and Luxemburg) and to relief work, especially obtaining food. He is convinced that the scope of the latter work will be limited and could be accomplished as well, if not better, by a committee of Americans not related to our Foreign Service. He is also convinced that the most significant work he can do at this time is to report firsthand to the President and the Secretary. In view of the [Page 207] above facts he would like discretion for decision to leave Brussels with the staffs of the Mission and Consulate with the exception of such personnel as it will be necessary to leave there for administrative functions under the direction of a sufficiently high ranking officer attached to the Embassy at Berlin but on duty in Brussels.
He has been requested to serve in conjunction with the Apostolic Nuncio and the Italian Ambassador as honorary chairman of a Belgian committee for food supply and requests authorization to accept.
He requests to be informed as soon as possible what steps if any to send money, food or supplies to Belgium have been taken in America by the Red Cross, Hoover, or any other organizations.
In conclusion he stresses the strictly confidential character of this message.
If the Department has no other means of communication with Cudahy, the bearer of the above message from him is returning to Brussels in about 10 days and could carry your reply.