File No. 763.72113A/–
The Assistant Secretary of State (
Phillips) to the
Chairman of the Committee on Public Information (
Creel)
Washington,
January 31, 1918.
My Dear Mr. Creel: I
enclose a self-explanatory statement which I should appreciate having
published in an early issue of The Official
Bulletin and given such other and wider publicity as is
possible, in
[Page 282]
order that the
information elicited thereby may be as nearly complete as it is feasible
to obtain in this manner.
Thanking you [etc.]
[Enclosure]
Statement by the Secretary of State1
The Secretary of State, deeming it advisable in the interests of the
United States and of the persons concerned to have of record in his
Department as complete information as possible regarding the
character and extent of American-owned property in the countries of
the enemies and the allies of the enemies, or in territory under
their military control or occupation, desires that all American
citizens, owners of such property, whether real or personal, will
forward to the Secretary of State a full statement of the facts with
regard thereto.
Communications to the Secretary of State in response to this notice
should in particular state:
- (1)
- Whether the owner is a native or naturalized citizen of
the United States. (If naturalized he should state his
original nationality and when and where he was naturalized
as an American citizen, and where he now resides.)
- (2)
- (If it be real estate)—
- (a)
- The exact location, nature, extent and value
(actual, not exaggerated) thereof;
- (b)
- When and in what manner it was acquired;
- (c)
- From whom acquired (indicating name and
nationality);
- (d)
- Whether there are any encumbrances thereon, and if
so, the nature and amount thereof.
- (3)
- (If personal property)—
- (a)
- The form of such property;
- (b)
- The face value thereof;
- (c)
- The date on which it was acquired;
- (d)
- From whom it was acquired, indicating the name and
nationality, if possible, of the former
owner;
- (e)
- Whether any interest has accrued thereon, and if
so the rate of interest stipulated for;
- (f)
- The last known location of the property;
- (g)
- The name of its last known custodian.
- (4)
- If the owner of the property to be reported is an American
corporation, joint stock company or partnership, full
information regarding the nature of the concern and the
percentage of foreign interest therein, if any, should be
given.
