740.0011 European War 1939/958: Telegram
The Ambassador in Belgium (Davies) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 8—8:35 p.m.]
174. For the President and the Secretary of State. I have just returned from a visit to Foreign Minister Spaak who stated that the situation was most tense and grave. He stated (1) that there were very large concentrations of German shock troops and mechanized and motor divisions along the Belgian and Dutch frontiers; and (2) that they were the same troops as those which invaded Poland and that their disposition indicated the same plan and manner of attack as that which was employed in Poland and that it indicated a simultaneous attack on Belgium and Holland. He then told me that in spite of the protest of the Belgium Foreign Office (my telegram No. 168, November 7, 6 p.m.1) there had been persistent flights of German airplanes over Belgian territory and under such conditions as would warrant no other conclusion than that they were deliberate. (The Foreign Minister was evidently referring to a statement made earlier in the day by a Belgian officer to the effect that a dozen of these planes had been engaged in photographic work.) Notwithstanding official German denials the identity of the planes was clearly established.
In answer to my question he said that he did not believe that there was a 50–50 chance of avoiding war in Belgium. In response to another question he stated that he did not believe an invasion of Holland strategically required an invasion of Belgium but agreed with my suggestion that if the Netherlands were invaded undoubtedly Britain and France would necessarily have to come into Belgium to protect their flank.
On the diplomatic front he stated [apparent omission] looked exceedingly serious. In spite of the assurances given that the German press attacks would stop (see my telegram 173, November 8, 6 p.m.), he showed me a telegram just received Wednesday afternoon from Belgian Minister at Berlin who reported that the press reaction to the offer of mediation was unfavorable one, German comment being that in view of the speech of Lord Halifax the offer had failed before it had been born and that instead of doing useless things Belgium should try to preserve its own trusts and exert some control over the partisan pro-ally attitude of the Belgian press. The Foreign Minister considered that this indicated an unfavorable reception by German official circles of the offer of mediation although he had as yet received no official reply from Germany.
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