File No. 855.48/454

The British Ambassador ( Spring Rice ) to the Secretary of State

No. 39

Sir: I have received instructions from His Majesty’s Government to inform you, with reference to your telegrams to the United States Ambassador at London and to Mr. Hoover’s telegrams to the Belgian Relief Commission and to the Foreign Office that:

1.
His Majesty’s Government fully agree that the Belgian relief must continue, and they cordially welcome the statement that the United States will wish to show continued interest in it even in the event of the withdrawal of American citizens.
2.
His Majesty’s Government will give favourable consideration to any German proposal as to the routing of relief ships so far as it may be found, on examination by the British naval authorities, to be feasible.

I have [etc.]

Cecil Spring Rice