763.72113/1083: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Guatemala ( Thurston )

Your August 5, 11 a.m. If no date has yet been set for sale of German properties, inquire of President when sale will take place. Inform him that United States, desirous that American capital should participate more extensively in development of Guatemala’s resources, would be glad to have these properties pass into hands of responsible American interests. In order to facilitate bidding by American interests and to secure more active bidding, this Government would be glad to announce sale with description of properties in Commerce Reports and other publications. To do this it is necessary that definite date and conditions for sale should be set. In view of necessity for definitely fixing status of properties and terminating present situation which can only impair their value, Department believes that sale should take place in near future and date and conditions should be set at once.

Phillips