851.502/68
The Chargé in France (Marriner) to the Secretary of
State
No. 3400
Paris, March 7,
1933.
[Received March 14.]
Sir: Referring to the Embassy’s telegram
No. 64 of February 23/5 p.m., 1933,25 I have the honor to transmit herewith for
the Department’s information and the completion of its files a copy
and translation of the Embassy’s note of February 23 and of the
Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ note of March 4, 1933,26 in interpretation of the rights of
American citizens under the French rent laws as governed by the
Consular Convention of 1853.
Respectfully yours,
[Enclosure 1]
The American Ambassador (Edge) to the French Minister for Foreign
Affairs (Paul-Boncour)
No. 2246
Paris, February 23,
1933.
Excellency: I have the honor to
communicate to Your Excellency my Government’s interpretation of
Article 7 of the Consular Convention
[Page 181]
between the United States of America and
France concluded February 23, 1853, in relation to the rights of
American citizens in France in connection with the French rent
laws. It is my understanding that the following interpretation
which has prevailed in the past is concurred in by your
Government for the future application of the convention.
The effect of the provisions of Article 7 is to establish the
right of citizens of the United States in France to enjoy the
same treatment as French citizens in matters relating to the
ownership, possession and disposal of property. Accordingly,
citizens of the United States are entitled, to enjoy in France
the benefit of all the provisions, whether applicable to owners
or tenants, contained in the French law of April 1, 1926, as
amended by the law of June 29, 1929, governing the relations
between lessors and lessees of premises used for residential
purposes, and in the law of June 30, 1926, as amended by the law
of April 22, 1927, governing the relations between tenants and
landlords of premises used for commercial or industrial
purposes, notwithstanding Article 11 of the Civil Code and the
exceptions or restrictions applicable to foreigners under the
aforesaid laws.
I may add that, under the laws of the states of the United States
and the District of Columbia, French citizens in the United
States enjoy the same treatment as American citizens with regard
to the leasing and renting of real property.
I shall be glad to have your confirmation of the agreement thus
reached.
I avail myself [etc.]
[Enclosure 2—Translation]
The French Minister for Foreign Affairs
(Paul-Boncour) to the
American Ambassador (Edge)
Mr. Ambassador: By a letter of the
23rd of last month you acquainted me with your Government’s
interpretation of Article 7 of the Consular Convention concluded
on February 23, 1853, between France and the United States of
America, dealing with the rights of American citizens in France
in relation to the French rent law.
I have the honor to inform Your Excellency that the French
Government accepts, for the future application of the
Convention, the following interpretation, already valid in the
past.
The effect of the provisions of Article 7 is to secure for
citizens of the United States residing in France the right to
enjoy the same treatment as French citizens in matters relating
to the ownership, possession, and
[Page 182]
disposal of real property. Consequently,
citizens of the United States will enjoy in France the benefit
of all the provisions, whether applicable to owners or tenants,
of the French law of April 1, 1926, amended by the law of June
29, 1929, governing the relations between lessors and lessees of
premises used for residential purposes, and the law of June 30,
1926, amended by the law of April 22, 1927, governing the
relations between tenants and landlords of premises used for
commercial and industrial purposes, notwithstanding Article 11
of the Civil Code and the exceptions or restrictions applicable
to foreigners under the aforesaid laws.
I take note that, under the laws of the different States of the
United States and of the District of Columbia, French citizens
residing in the United States enjoy the same treatment as
American citizens in regard to the leasing or renting of real
property.
Kindly accept [etc.]
