124.57/40: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Heath) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:55 p.m.]
2223. My 2221, June 30, 6 p.m.34 The following note was received this morning from the Foreign Office.
“The Foreign Office has the honor to inform the Embassy of the United States of America of the following:
“After the occupation by German troops of the entire territory of Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg the authority of law (Gesetz Maessige Gewalt) in those countries came into German hands. Moreover, the former Governments of those countries fled abroad so that they no longer exercise the legal functions of government. Under these circumstances the basis is removed for the activities of the diplomatic missions which were accredited to the former governments of those countries. If the Government of the United States of America wishes to discuss matters of a political nature affecting these countries this would have to be done by its diplomatic mission in Berlin at the Foreign Office.
“The Foreign Office accordingly requests the Embassy of the United States of America to be so good as to cause its Government to withdraw its diplomatic missions from Oslo, the Hague, Brussels and Luxembourg and to complete this not later than July 15, 1940. Until further notice the Reich Government consents to the continuation of the consular offices in the countries and territories indicated and further exercise de facto of the functions there.”
- Not printed.↩