Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1918, Supplement 2, The World War

File No. 763.72113/545

The Swiss Minister ( Sulzer) to the Secretary of State

Department of German Interests
IV–14

Memorandum

The Minister of Switzerland, representing German interests in the United States, presents his compliments to the Secretary of State, and has the honor to inform His Excellency that the Legation is in receipt of a cablegram from the Swiss Foreign Office, according to which the German Government “requests obtain declaration of American Government with all urgency whether measures of liquidation of German property have as yet been taken and against whom.”

The Minister begs leave to add that the above request has reference to the first paragraphs of the Urgent Deficiency Act, approved March 28, 1918, wherein certain powers are conferred upon the President and the Alien Property Custodian with regard to enemy property in the United States.

In conclusion, the Minister begs leave to draw His Excellency’s attention to the urgent character of the above request.

Washington , May 10, 1918.
[Received May 11.]