File No. 123G31/110
The Secretary of State to the Minister in the Netherlands ( Garrett)
1074. Your telegram 2207, March 26. Request Spanish Embassy, Berlin, to protest against German authorities seizing property in storage of former Ambassador Gerard as violation of diplomatic immunity recognized by nations generally as attaching to such property. Point out that Government of the United States facilitated forwarding of personal effects of Count von Bernstorff after his departure, and inform German Government that personal effects left in United States by former German diplomatic and consular officers accredited to this country, as well as by persons whose names at time of severance of relations appeared on Diplomatic List issued by Department, have not been taken over by American authorities, and that Government of United States expects that German Government will similarly respect property left in Germany by former diplomatic and consular officers of United States.
Keep Department fully advised in matter.