855.24/2–2445: Telegram
The Ambassador in Belgium ( Sawyer ) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 25—3:30 p.m.]
213. While America suffers from manpower shortage, Belgium suffers from lack of employment. It appears to those of us here familiar with the need of the Belgian economy for raw materials that a partial solution to this need can come from materials obtainable near the Belgian border in occupied Germany. It is difficult for us to see why certain raw materials which I understand have been discovered by our occupying troops in industrial plants in occupied Germany cannot be utilized by factories here in Belgium. I am informed that the condition of these materials including thoroughly modern machine tools is deteriorating rapidly and that if action is not taken immediately, certain important machinery will be useless either in Germany or elsewhere. I am told that the army now in Germany may feel obligated to renew industry in Germany as a part of its job to secure supplies for the army and unless instructions are issued on very high levels, all of this material and machinery may be utilized in Germany for the benefit of the Germans rather than transferred to Belgium where the same products for the army can be manufactured with Belgian labor and to the improvement of the Belgian economy. In addition to this, I feel there is an important issue involved—shall we [Page 92] rebuild Belgium, our Ally, or shall we be a party to aiding in the rebuilding of Germany, our enemy? May I suggest that the military authorities be requested to contact me and the proper Belgian authorities in an effort to work out this partial solution of the Belgian supply problem.