The Department of State, therefore, must again have recourse to the kindness of the Swiss Legation and ask that the matter be brought to the attention of the German Government by telegraph with the request that the German Government immediately give notice of its desires in the premises. This Government can assume no responsibility in the care of German interests and property since February 3, 1917. WASHINGTON, July 17, 1917. File No. 704.6200/80 The Swiss Chargé (Hübscher) to the Secretary of State Department of German Interests I d Allg. 3 MEMORANDUM The Chargé d'Affaires of Switzerland ad interim, representing German interests, presents his compliments to the Secretary of State, and, referring to his excellency's memorandum of July 17, 1917, has the honor to inform his excellency that the Legation has been advised by the Swiss Foreign Office that the German Government has not yet found a neutral power to whom German interests can be confided at Harbin, Barbados, Trinidad, Tahiti, British Guiana, and Jamaica. The Legation is further advised that at Mombasa and Singapore the German interests will be represented by the Netherlands; at Lourenço Marques by Spain, and at Madagascar by Sweden. The German interests in Apia and New Zealand will be represented by the Swiss Consulate at Auckland, and at Queenstown in Tasmania by the Swiss Consulate in Melbourne. Finally, the Legation is informed that there having been no German consulate in Martinique, there will be no necessity for transfer of the representation of interests. WASHINGTON, August 14, 1917. WITHDRAWAL OF THE AMERICAN MINISTER AND RELIEF WORKERS FROM BELGIUM-TRANSFER OF THE RELIEF WORK TO NETHERLAND SUBJECTS File No. 855.48/438. The Minister in Belgium (Whitlock) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] BRUSSELS, February 1, 1917. 38. I have the honor to request that the following communication be transmitted to the President: Dear Mr. President: The German Government of Occupation in Belgium has just communicated to me the tenor of a communication made by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the Imperial German Government to the American Ambassador at Berlin stating that the Central powers have declared a blockade of the English, French, and Italian coasts. Thus far the ships of the Commission for Relief in Belgium, transporting food to the Belgian people and the inhabitants of the north of France, have been compelled to touch at an English port in order to permit the British Government to satisfy itself that these ships were not transporting contraband of war. If this measure is maintained, that is to say, if in future the ships of the commission are compelled to touch at an English port, the inevitable consequence will be the suppression of the relief to this people already so sorely tried. Therefore, I respectfully beg you to intervene with the British Government in order if possible that it may take no measure that will have the effect of breaking down the relief. This great humanitarian work, which has always enjoyed your high patronage, has had the effect thus far of saving from ruin and distress more than seven millions of Belgian civilians, and more than three millions of French who otherwise would have perished. The maintenance of the relief is all the more necessary and urgent because in the midst of the severest winter that this country has known for years the deplorable situation of the poor is aggravated to point that must excite the pity of every human heart. Any interruption, even [if it] were momentary, in the provisioning of the country would menace with famine ten millions of human beings already deep in misery. I beg you, therefore, in the names of all these suffering ones to effect if possible some arrangement by which the ships of the commission can continue to bear their saving cargoes of [food to] these people. I am assured by the German authorities. that the Imperial German Government has no intention of interfering with the humanitarian works of the Commission for Relief in Belgium. The situation could be saved if the control exercised heretofore in English ports were exercised instead either at the port of embarkation or at the port of debarkation in Holland. A communication similar to this is being sent by his excellency the Spanish Minister to his Catholic Majesty and by the Dutch Chargé to Her Majesty, the Queen of the Netherlands. In the autumn of 1914 I had the honor to despatch a telegram to you, and in your great heart you found a way to succor the civil population of this land and Northern France, and it is the hope of all those who at great sacrifice have now for more than two years devoted themselves to that great work that your great influence may be exercised to secure its continuance. WHITLOCK File No. 855.48/440a The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Brain (Page) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, February 3, 1917, 4 p. m. 4386. Belgian relief. Department would be glad if you would express to the British Government the strong feeling of this country and of the Government that the relief of the Belgian and occupied French population must in any event continue; for this country will wish to show no less interest in this great work of humanity than has been shown during the last two years by the British and French Governments. Should it become impossible for the Americans to remain in Belgium and in control, Hoover considers it very desirable that the work of relief should be taken over by the Dutch Government, a transfer which could probably be best negotiated by the Belgian Government and the American Minister at The Hague. We have telegraphed Whitlock asking him to remain at his post and asking him to secure from the German authorities for members of relief the treatment of diplomatic and consular staff. Mr. Hoover desires you convey following message to Poland and Kellogg: I think it extremely desirable for all members in Belgium to remain at their posts, even after departure of diplomatic and consular staff if Germans will guarantee their freedom to depart if situation becomes entirely untenable. Wish you to take Mr. Page's advice in all matters and to consult freely with Belgian and British Governments, particularly on following questions. First. Change if any in sailing directions of ships afloat, such change if any to be issued by British Admiralty. Second. Whether and by what route ships at present in Rotterdam and Atlantic ports should sail. If new British mine field does not interfere represent to British Government strongly desirability of taking route outside war zone. At the same time ask Spanish Ambassador if he will communicate through Brussels and Berlin that as British mine field and necessity to bunker in United Kingdom and conditions of charter and insurance renders Falmouth channel route the only practicable passage the Germans should agree at once to respect relief ships on this route and issue passes to this end, and that all departures are held up meantime. Remit us all the money you can lay hands on at once. File No. 124.55/2a LANSING The Secretary of State to the Minister in Belgium (Whitlock) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, February 3, 1917, 5 p. m. 248. For your information. German Ambassador accompanied by his staff has to-day been handed his passports. Ambassador Gerard and his staff have been instructed to leave Berlin at once, and similar instructions have been sent to all the consuls in the German Empire. Inasmuch as you are accredited to the Belgian Government, the Department believes that you should remain in Brussels unless the German authorities express the desire to have you leave Belgium, in which case you should turn Legation and archives over to Spanish representative and take up your residence near the Belgian Government at Havre. In the event of your leaving Belgium, you should instruct the consuls at Antwerp, Brussels, Liège, and Ghent to place consulates and archives in custody of representative of Spain and proceed with American clerks to the United States where they will be given leave of absence in Department's discretion, except Nasmith who should report to Consul at Amsterdam for duty. Expenses of transportation of families and of storage of household and personal effects or rent of residence where storage not possible or lease of residence not terminable will be paid from time to time upon receipt of accounts and vouchers. Codes, cipher messages, or translations, seals and accounts, including all accounts, vouchers and papers relating to expenses of representing foreign interests and for individual relief should be delivered to Legation for transmission to the Department. Rent of offices to March 31 should be paid. Also in the event of consuls leaving, pay salaries of clerks and employees who are not American citizens to March 31, when services of foreign subjects will terminate. Take receipts covering full period of each payment. Legation should deliver to Spanish Minister list of future payments to be made for rent and similar obligatory expenses of Legation and consulates after March 31 with blanks and instructions covering such payments. Discontinue all expenses not obligatory. In the event of consuls leaving, all money on hand belonging to United States in excess of payments herein authorized should be deposited with Legation and receipt taken. Legation should deliver to Spanish Minister amount sufficient to meet expenses of Legation and consulates for 6 months, taking receipts therefor. Remainder should be taken to Havre. Funds held on account of foreign governments for relief and other purposes should be delivered to diplomatic representatives selected by those governments to take charge of their interests, taking and forwarding to Department receipts in triplicate for exact amount so delivered. Mr. Hoover is very anxious that members of the relief commission remain at their stations, but it seems to the Department and to him. that you should obtain an undertaking from the German authorities that members of the commission should be considered as members of your staff in the event of the withdrawal of Americans from Belgium. LANSING File No. 855.48/440 The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] LONDON, February 3, 1917, 8 p. m. [Received February 4, 4.30 a. m.] 5590. Commission for Relief in Belgium requests that I send the following urgent message, and asks that its substance may at once be transmitted to Hoover. We consider necessary that no vessels start from American ports until definite understanding reached between German and British Governments. Shipments from this Kingdom likewise held. Please ask that German Government continue present protection between English ports and Rotterdam and overseas; otherwise shipments originating England, amounting over one fifth our [supplies], will be cut off and not replaceable, also ships arriving and cargoes now here will be excluded. This will break down ravitaillement. Impossible to communicate with and warn ships soon to arrive. It is necessary that ships coal United Kingdom. The German prohibited area with the new British mine field practically excludes vessels from approaching Holland. Dutch frontier now open and Gregory advised to ship all Dutch and commission products possible into Belgium and northern France. On the request of Lord Eustace Percy we have asked Gregory to assure people that in event of difficulties between Germany and the United States the work will be continued under the Dutch, Spanish, and Danish Ministers. Percy says the Treasury is still discussing with Belgian Government details of the loan. Hopes matter will be settled soon. French and German Governments agree to all our recommendations except Treasury as above. Percy has advised Treasury that loan must be settled at once or increased subsidy granted. Believe possible thus to secure temporary relief. Mr. Page intends to discuss matter with Mr. Balfour. PAGE File No. 855.48/438 The Secretary of State to the Minister in Belgium (Whitlock) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, February 4, 1917, 5 p. m. 249. Your 38, 1st. Department is informed that British and German mine fields combined effectually shut off approaches to Holland to North Sea route; in consequence neutral owners and insurers Belgian relief ships refuse take this risk, and, therefore, German proposal wholly impracticable. Germans have indicated to this Government they can respect Atlantic seaboard ships en route to Falmouth and have indicated to Netherland Government that they can respect |