File No. 763.72113/509
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain ( Willard)
Sir: You are instructed to ascertain, through the Spanish Foreign Office and the Spanish Ambassador at Berlin, the measures which [Page 295] have been taken by the German authorities with regard to the property in Germany of American citizens, and also whether these measures affect the property of American citizens residing in Germany as well. This information is urgently needed by the Alien Property Custodian.
In this relation the Department may refer to the order of the German Government of December 13, 1917,1 extending to the property of citizens of this country the application of the orders of November 26, 1914, and February 10, 1915 [1916], relative to the custodianship of French interests. The American Minister at Berne was instructed by cable, on February 9, 1918, to procure this data, but the Department has as yet to receive his advices in the matter.
The Department may also refer to the order of March 4, 1918,2 by which the regulations of July 31, 1916, regarding the liquidation of British enterprises, are declared applicable to American enterprises.
It is suggested that this information be obtained in as detailed and complete a form as possible and transmitted as expeditiously as the circumstances may permit.
I am [etc.]