File No. 311.62/458
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Switzerland ( Wilson)
1436. Your 2122, November 26, 4 p.m.1 The President has decided that private communications concerning welfare and whereabouts of persons in the United States may not be forwarded. This does not include prisoners of war and interned alien enemies. The Legations of Switzerland and Sweden, and the Embassy of Spain at Washington, respectively in charge of the interests of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey, have been so informed. They are permitted, however, to make official enquiry concerning welfare and whereabouts of persons in the United States and report officially to their Governments.
Answering your two questions:
- (1)
- You may forward enquiries concerning interned Germans in the United States to the International Red Cross which will reforward to Red Cross here. The latter will transmit to destination upon receipt of license from War Trade Board.
- (2)
- Enquiries received from persons in the United States regarding German and Austrian subjects in the Central Powers should be returned to senders.
- Not printed.↩