File No. No. 763.72113/596

The Alien Property Custodian ( Palmer) to the Secretary of State

Sir: A considerable number of reports have been made to this office by Swedish consuls in charge of Austrian interests, and Swiss consuls in charge of German interests, in respect to certain funds held by these consuls respectively. The funds to which I refer are held by the consuls as the successors to Austrian or German consuls who at the time of the break: in diplomatic relations were either (1) acting as administrators of Austrian or German nationals, respectively, who had died in this country, or (2) acting as collection agents for Austrian or German subjects, resident in their respective countries, of the beneficial interest of such subjects in estates being administered in the United States.

Unless there is some diplomatic reason to the contrary, I propose to make formal demand, in the usual form, upon the Swedish and Swiss consuls in charge respectively of Austrian and German interests, for the delivery of this enemy property to me.

Respectfully,

A. Mitchell Palmer