File No. 311.59/52
The Secretary of State to the Attorney General ( Gregory)
Sir: Referring to previous correspondence1 in respect to the case of Capt. M. S. Hveissel, a Danish subject who was detained at Ellis Island for about seven weeks from October 29, to December 19, 1917, by American authorities, apparently for the reason that he was born in 1866 in Flensborg, Germany, and is therefore classed as an alien enemy under Revised Statutes 4067, I have the honor to enclose copies of two notes which have been received from the Danish Minister, dated April 8, and May 17, 1918,1 presenting a claim on behalf of Captain Hveissel for pecuniary losses caused him by his internment at Ellis Island. I would be pleased to have such comments as you may desire to make upon these communications, and to be furnished with a full statement of facts in this case in order that I may be in a position to make an appropriate reply to the notes of the Danish Minister.
I have not forwarded these notes at an earlier date, inasmuch as it was necessary to give consideration to the general question as to whether claims presented on behalf of foreign governments for the detention of their subjects under Revised Statutes 4067 were valid and just under the law and practice of nations. In this connection it has been necessary to consider questions of policy in view of the previous attitude and position of the United States on the question [Page 221] of expatriation and naturalization. A brief preliminary summary of the study of these questions in the Department is enclosed herewith.1
I have [etc.]