Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, European Security and the German Question, Volume III, Part 1

740.5/1–1151: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Chapin) to the Secretary of State ¹

secret

The Hague, January 11, 1951—6 p. m.

1009. General Eisenhower and party arrived Hague 4:45 p. m. January 10 and departed today 3 p. m. Copenhagen. Met on arrival by Chiefs Staff 3 services, no special honors rendered but security looked after. Reception in stolid Dutch fashion reasonably warm one which would have been even more demonstrative had it not been for bad weather.

I gave stag dinner last night for General and Service Attachés and MAAG officers during course which opportunity was had bring him and Gruenther up to date local situation and defense effort.

This morning General Eisenhower had talks Dutch Chiefs of Staff DefMin PriMin FonMin² and was tendered unofficial luncheon by DefMin at which high-ranking Netherlands defense officers present and during which he had opportunity further talks with PriMin and FonMin.

There no opportunity discuss any length with Generals Eisenhower or Gruenther results their visit but my first impression they somewhat disappointed, actually as we previously pointed out and repeated today to Jacob the Dutch invariably put worst foot forward. Jacob told me at lunch that within next 3 weeks will ask for 150 million guilder increased defense budget and he proposed within next 3 months ask for 2 additional sums in amounts not stated. However did not mention this fact we gather to Eisenhower.

Dutch service chiefs united feeling that visit great success and most helpful but Aler Chief Air Force said it should be repeated soonest possible. They agreed feeling urgency here or rather Europe not great as US but appreciation this growing and that peoples of countries well as staff chiefs themselves more aware defense necessities than governments.

Press reports there some minor Communist demonstrations Plague and Amsterdam but no disturbances resulted. We feel visit most helpful and should give stimulus Dutch defense efforts. In this regard Embassy will now pursue talks Dutch along lines A–200 December 21.³

Embassy understands that MacArthur will report directly Department on other political aspects visit.⁴

Chapin

1. This telegram was repeated for information to Copenhagen, London, and Paris.
2. The references here are to Minister of Defense Hendrik L. s’Jacob, Prime Minister Willem Drees, and Foreign Minister Dirk Stikker.
3. For MacArthur’s report on the conversations with Stikker and Drees, see telegram 604, infra. See also telegram 1057, January 19, from The Hague, p. 436.
4. Not printed.