740.0011 European War 1939/834: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Germany (Kirk)
742. Personal for Kirk from the Secretary. Please call at the earliest possible occasion on some high German official (you are of course the best judge as to whom it would be most useful for you to see) and tell him orally that American public opinion is becoming increasingly perturbed at the reported concentration of German troops on the Dutch and Belgian frontiers. You may add that your Government was gratified to note the recent statement made by the Minister of War that the neutrality of the Netherlands and Belgium would not be violated by Germany, but it feels that were an explanation in line with this assurance to be given as to the purposes of the reported concentration it would have a reassuring effect.