740.00119 Council/11–2046: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of State, at New York
Secdel 1177. Following comment reed from Emb London: “General impression gained is that UK circles look with certain skepticism on Dutch claims frontier rectification with Germany.58 While FonOff apparently anxious have border states particularly Denmark Netherlands Belgium and Luxemburg present any claims they might have, part of this desire based on feeling it up to govt those countries put forth claims or stop talking about them, preferably latter. FonOff apparently limiting its interest such matters to forwarding them CFM with appropriate recommendations. Thus FonOff forced issue on South Schleswig with Denmark.
Dutch claims are assessed as ‘slight’ and as possibly having been ‘scaled down’ in view attitudes US and UK towards territorial transfers in west. In this connection, it pointed out that:
- 1.
- Dutch-German frontier one of most stable in Europe; far more stable than other frontiers in Central and Western Europe; in fact, period of 300 years cited as time this frontier endured. It is thus held [Page 1214] that such frontier should not be changed except for very serious reasons.
- 2.
- Changes proposed by Dutch if carried out would have little effect on Dutch security which should be one chief reason for making them. Likewise population question involved not sufficient justify changes which might later produce Irredentism.”