740.0011 European War 1939/998: Telegram
The Ambassador in Belgium (Davies) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 13—10:42 p.m.]
184. For the President and Secretary of State. In connection with my visit to the King at the Palace this afternoon incident to the delivery of President’s message contained in the Department’s No. 77 received November 13,5 I respectfully report the following. At the conclusion of the discussion with reference to the President’s message quite on his own initiative and to my surprise, the King discussed freely the international situation. He gave it as his opinion that there would be no German offensive against Holland and Belgium now for the following reasons:
- (1)
- There were serious differences of opinion in Germany between the politicians of the Party who were eager for war and the German High Command who were strongly opposed.
- (2)
- By reason of air reconnaissances and other information that had been obtained both the military group and Hitler had become much impressed with the extent of the Belgian defenses which have been developed most formidably including extensive inundations from the Albert Canal Road, obstructions, trenches, pillboxes, and the like.
- (3)
- The lateness of the season combined with these conditions would make the enterprise most hazardous.
In addition thereto he stated that in his opinion the purpose of the German concentration of troops had been to throw fear into Holland and Belgium to make them stand up against the British blockade in connection with the economic front. Delay in his opinion worked altogether to the advantage of the Allies.
With reference to the offer of “good offices” he stated that the only communication from the German Government thus far was that Hitler would study most carefully the proposal of the rulers of Holland and Belgium but that this situation was aided by “personal contacts” which he did not amplify but which I assumed referred to messages relative to congratulations over Hitler’s escape at Munich.6
He thought that the concluding paragraph of King George’s reply was a hopeful indication. He stated that his Government was pursuing the matter in collaboration with the Dutch Government. In that connection the Foreign Office today stated to Counselor Wilson that the two Governments were limiting their efforts solely to “good offices,” namely, the transmission of viewpoints or messages, and not mediation in the sense of trying to adjust differences. The King further stated that should I desire to communicate his views to the President and the Secretary of State, I should ask that the subject matter thereof should be held in strictest of confidence and confined to the President and the Secretary of State and their immediate assistants.
In view of this limitation I have not forwarded this cable to The Hague pursuant to cable instruction No. 75, November 11, 7 p.m.7 and shall not do so unless specifically advised by the Department.