Foreign
BV11 [pencil note.]
Berlin, 4 May 1940
Notice
A. Conference between the Under Secretary of State Gaus— and the chief for foreign affairs on 3d May, 1940 at 15,30 hrs. Under Secretary of State made the following statements:
That the Reichsminister for Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Under Secretary of State had now worked out exactly the White Book Belgium/Holland.
That the Minister asked to change in it, furthermore, the following :
1. The deletion of the sentences "in case of German invasion". ,
2. The document would have to bear the signature of Lt.
General Keitel.
3. The Minister still misses the crescendo, which, is to
lead to the final build up in view of the Belgium neutrality. The military situation had taken such a turn that German military action was deemed necessary in the interest of the security of Reich.
Several reports which describe the situation as urgent should be added. For instance, the presence in Brussels of General Staff Officers of the Western powers; considerable reinforcements of the enemy's left wing; the best would be an invasion order for allied British-French troops into Belgium and Holland.
B. 18-30 hrs. report by the chief of the foreign affairs section about matters mentioned under A in the presence of the chief of the OKW, chief of WFA, and the chief for foreign affairs.
To A (1) and (2) no objections by any party,
To A (3) Chief for foreign affairs section defense expressed most serious reservations for the following reasons:
(A) The value of the treatise only would be weakened by additions of this nature for which there would not be any support; in such a way it would be stripped of its character as a document.
(B) The responsibility for the White Book would be shifted completely, placed entirely upon the shoulders of the chief of the OKW moreover by the Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces report on this important military problem, to the Reich's Cabinet even to the Reich Minister for Foreign Affairs, would be entirely unusual and thereupon conspicuous. Such a
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report would naturally have to be addressed to the Fuehrer and the Supreme Commander in chief of the Armed Forces.
(C) The chief of the OKW agrees to the aforesaid matter but is ready if necessary to provide the treaties 'with an indorsement of about the following contents:
Enclosed synopsis of evidence is being transmitted which heavily incriminates Belgium and Holland for its attitude with regard to the matter of neutrality.
Therefore I deem it to be imperative that Germany acts before the opposite side acts, or imperative to draw the necessary political conclusions.
The chief for Foreign Affairs section defense counsels urgently omit the final sentence.
The question remains unsettled for the time being.
(D) Conveyed attitude taken by the Chief of the OKW Undersecretary of State Gaus by the Chief for Foreign Affairs, 3 May 1940 19-30 hrs.