740.00119 European War 1939/134: Telegram
The Ambassador in Belgium (Davies) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:30 p.m.]
173. For the President and Secretary of State. From a personal conversation which I just had with the King, the following are the facts with regard to the situation referred to in my telegrams 166, 167, 169, 170, November 7, and 172, November 8.99
Rumors of German troop concentrations and of great German activity in building pontoons, et cetera, on the Netherlands and Belgian borders coupled with intensive German press attacks on neutrals and Holland particularly, alleging their inability to protect their own sovereignty and neutrality, aroused the gravest apprehensions of the Government of Holland that there was impending an immediate German invasion. These were communicated by it to the King who, accompanied by a member of the General Staff and the Foreign Minister, motored Monday night to The Hague and had extended conferences with the Queen and her Ministers resulting in the offer of mediation as published. The King himself is of the opinion that the intelligence of the German High Command would prevent attempt at large scale action of this character on account of the lateness of the season and for other reasons but he nevertheless joined in the effort with the hope that it might afford the belligerents the means of at least discussing peace. Belgium protested against the violence of German press attacks yesterday and was assured they would stop. The King is deeply anxious to forestall the outburst of pending intense and violent war which in his opinion would utterly destroy European civilization.
I gathered the impression that Germany is pressing the neutrals to assume active responsibility in pushing a peace offensive if they wish to prevent the horrors of the unrestricted war that otherwise is impending. Because Germany’s action is unpredictable Belgium is taking every precaution.
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