Office of the Historian

856A.20/33: Telegram

The Minister to the Netherlands Government in Eddie (Biddle) to the Secretary of State

London, September 5, 1941—1 a.m.
[Received 9:18 a.m.]

Netherlands Series 21. For the President. Reference Department’s 3520, September 1, 4 p.m., and my 20, September 3, 4 p.m.

1.
Queen Wilhelmina has asked me to convey the following message to the President.

“I should like to thank you and Mrs. Roosevelt most sincerely for your kind message. I am always hoping to be able to come and as soon as circumstances allow I will ask whether my visit at Hyde Park would suit you. I entirely agree that the possibility which has arisen of enemy action against the vitally important bauxite mines in Surinam and against the safe transport to the United States of bauxite mineral for the benefit of the nations resisting the Axis Powers should be completely removed as soon as is practicable. The reinforcement of the Netherlands units in Surinam by Netherlands troops from the Netherlands Indies and Britain is being organized but it will be some time before these troops can reach Surinam and it is necessary in present conditions not to deplete more than is unavoidable the strength of the Netherlands forces, especially in the Indian Archipelago whence aircraft and antiaircraft artillery in particular can ill be spared. In these exceptional circumstances which justify exceptional measures your offer to send immediately into Surinam the troops mentioned in your message to me is therefore gladly accepted. Of course I understand, in accordance with your assurance, that these troops shall be withdrawn as soon as the present danger to the mines is removed and at the latest at the conclusion of hostilities. The elaboration of the necessary complete arrangements will reach your Government by the intermediary of a letter from my Minister for Foreign Affairs to your Minister here. While agreeing also with your suggestion concerning the secrecy to be observed until identical announcements can be made it seems to me that it would be appropriate to inform previously our British ally.” (By this the Queen means that she will instruct her Foreign Minister to inform the British Government previous to the announcement.)

“With kindest regards to you and Mrs. Roosevelt. Yours most sincerely Wilhelmina”.

2.
The following is the “elaboration” mentioned in the Queen’s message to the President handed to me by Minister for Foreign Affairs Van Kleffens. The message and this elaboration are to be considered [Page 814] as one whole, and together constitute the Queen’s answer as previously agreed by the Cabinet:
  • “(1) The American forces to be sent to Surinam shall be withdrawn as soon as the present danger to the mines is removed, and at the latest at the conclusion of hostilities;
  • (2) As in the case of the British forces now guarding Curaçao together with Netherlands forces, the American troops in Surinam would be placed under Netherlands command;

  • (3) Their maintenance in accordance with the standards of the United States forces shall be paid for by the Netherlands, supplies being found as far as possible on the spot;”

    (Van Kleffens asks me to point out that his Government would be glad if the payments in this connection could be made in sterling.)

  • “(4) Their task shall be limited to helping the Netherlands authorities and forces in taking all measures for insuring the complete safety of the bauxite mines and bauxite transport, and that consequently the administration of Surinam shall in no way be interfered with;
  • (5) All public declarations by American authorities shall be in keeping with these points. As soon as the Netherlands Government learn that these points are accepted by the United States Government, the necessary instructions will be given at once to the Governor of Surinam. It would be appreciated if, in any official statement to be issued on behalf of the American Government, the exceptional and temporary nature of the measures were to be stressed and explained in conformity with the Queen’s message to the President.”
3.
In response to my remark that my Government might wish to propose alternative measures in connection with the above enumerated points, Minister Van Kleffens said that his Government would be glad to take any suggestions under consideration.
4.
He then disclosed contents of report just received from Governor of Surinam,8 that Colonel Hobbs, Chief of Staff, Trinidad, recently arrived at Paramaribo, Surinam, and announced to the Governor that in case of danger to the bauxite mines, an American occupational force would be sent there. The Governor told him he would not admit any foreign troops, American or otherwise, unless previously authorized to do so by the Netherlands Government. Both Van Kleffens and the Prime Minister consider this incident extremely regrettable in view (a) of the utmost importance of secrecy in this matter and (b) of the potentially unfortunate local effect in Surinam. I am aware that this report was a source of real concern for the Government here.
5.
In my opinion it is highly important to exercise great care in the selection not only of the commanding officer but also of the junior officers and personnel in general, of the force proposed for this task, in order to insure greatest possible collaboration locally.
[
Biddle
]
  1. J. C. Kielstra.↩