File No. 763.72115/3086
The Ambassador in Austria-Hungary ( Penfield) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 9, 12.30 p.m.]
1817. Foreign Office makes following proposal for reciprocal agreement regarding treatment of American citizens in Austria-Hungary and Austro-Hungarian subjects in the United States, in case of a breach of diplomatic relations. Please rush immediate reply whether acceptable to our Government.
In case of a breach of diplomatic relations between Austria-Hungary and the United States of America, the Imperial and Royal Government would be willing on the presumption of complete reciprocity to act according to the following principles towards the American citizens at present in the Monarchy:
- (1)
- All American citizens without distinction of sex or age who are desirous of leaving the Monarchy can depart for Switzerland within four weeks of the day on which diplomatic relations are broken off.
- (2)
- As a rule American citizens who remain in Austria-Hungary after this period will no longer be able to leave the Monarchy. Exceptions to this rule are admissible if in specific cases a longer sojourn in the Monarchy be recognized as justified.
- (3)
- American citizens who remain in the Monarchy will be neither interned nor confined and will be unmolested in so far as individuals do not personally render themselves guilty of misdemeanor.
Vienna, April 6, 1917.