811.221/54: Telegram

The Minister in the Netherlands ( Garrett ) to the Acting Secretary of State

5640. The evening newspapers of the sixth published a story from Amerongen to the effect that the previous evening two motorcars containing two [twelve] persons appeared at the castle there demanding to see the German ex-Emperor; that one car contained rifles; and that the occupants gave out that they were sent by the American Minister at The Hague to speak with the ex-Emperor. I called up the Foreign Minister by telephone and told him that this report had been called to my attention; that it was of course quite unnecessary for me to tell him that I knew nothing at all about the occurrences at Amerongen but that I could say that no one who might have taken part in them had any connection with the American Legation at The Hague or with me. Karnebeek said that of course he understood that and that he knew nothing about the matter except for a short telegram which he had received which said in substance that some people had arrived at Amerongen late of night for the purpose of seeing the ex-Kaiser; that they had of course not been able to see him; and that it had been found out their passports were in order. He said nothing about the nationality of these people.

The papers next day stated among other things that the cars were American Army cars and that the occupants were American officers and soldiers in uniform. I consulted Colonel Davis, Military Attaché to the Legation, who promised to take measures at once to ascertain everything he could in regard to the story.

[Page 86]

One of Colonel Davis’ aides proceeded Tuesday to Brussels and informed Mr. Brand Whitlock of the rumors and I received a telegram the next day from Mr. Whitlock informing me that the

“only Americans recently going to Holland from here comprised the party of United States Senator Luke Lea from Tennessee, Colonel of the 114th Field Artillery. He came to the Legation last Tuesday saying that he was on leave for the purpose of visiting Belgium and Holland. I told him that he could not enter Holland in uniform. He said that they would send for their civilian clothes and on Saturday he applied for emergency passports. The Dutch Legation here gave Senator Lea a pass to enter Holland and I now learn that the Dutch Minister here indorsed the pass with permission for them to go in uniform”.

I have received a note from Mr. Whitlock confirming his telegram and stating in addition that emergency passports had been [given] by him to Senator Lea and to three officers, Messrs. Elsworth Brown, Leland S. MacPhail and Thomas P. Henderson; and to two military chauffeurs, Egbert O’Hail and Owen Johnston. Mr. Whitlock added:

“In the future, before visaing any passports for Holland, I shall telegraph you and ask if you desire the bearers to enter the country and I should be obliged if you will do the same in the case of Americans who wish to visit Belgium.”

I shall, of course, comply with Mr. Whitlock’s excellent suggestion.

In view of the newspaper reports that the party had been sent by the American Minister at The Hague to speak with the ex-Emperor I sent a member of the Legation to Amerongen to accompany two of his assistant officers who were being sent there by Colonel Davis. It appears from the report submitted to me by my representative that the statement which he went to investigate was apparently not made by any of the American party but originated in the mind of the local editor of the Amerongen Courant who represents at Amerongen most of the Dutch newspapers and newspaper agencies.

The younger Count Bentinck who had received Colonel Luke Lea said to my representative that he asked Colonel Lea by whose authority they came and whether they came on an official mission; that Colonel Lea in response took out a laissez passer issued and signed by the Netherlands Chargé d’Affaires at Brussels and addressed to the Dutch customs authorities and as he handed it to Count Bentinck said “This will explain”. This laissez passer stated that Colonel Luke Lea and his party of five were proceeding to Holland under a special mandate of the American Government. Count Bentinck said that he told the ex-Emperor that a party of American officers had come on an official mission to see him for no good purpose; that the ex-Emperor said he would not be able to see them without knowing the exact authority with which they came. [Page 87] He went and repeated this to Colonel Luke Lea inquiring by whose authority they had come, as for instance, whether they came from General Pershing or not. Think that he also told them that he could not let them go into the castle to see the ex-Emperor without the permission of the governor of the province of Utrecht. He offered to call the governor of the province, but Colonel Lea said not to do so. About this time the burgomaster of Amerongen arrived in company with the chief of police. He examined the passports and after some conversation the men got into their automobiles and went away. It is reported but not confirmed that both cars have crossed the Dutch frontier into occupied Germany.

It is evident from the way the newspapers have been handled since Wednesday that Dutch officials desire to keep this affair from going any further, and it is to [be] hoped that they will not take any further steps about it. There is, as yet, no other intimation of what the[y] intend to do, but that may be gathered from the newspapers. There is a great desire, not only in government circles, but in every part of the population to permit nothing at the moment that may interfere with the longed-for visit of President Wilson to Holland and, moreover, our recent action in regard to ration and blockade is having a very good effect upon Dutch feeling towards America.

I am sending a full report by mail of the Amerongen escapade9 and the military attaché is also forwarding a report to headquarters in France.

I earnestly urge that this affair be called to the attention of the War Department as well as of the Commander-in-Chief [of] the American expeditionary force in order that they may have the opportunity of taking whatever steps may be necessary to prevent a recurrence of such a disgraceful episode.

Garrett
  1. Not printed.