352.115 Anderson, Clayton and Co./64
The Secretary of State to the Counselor of Embassy in Spain (Thurston)
Sir: The Department refers to its instruction no. 489 of November 22, 193766 and your reply no. 291 of January 6, 1938,67 concerning the Commission appointed pursuant to the decrees of August 6 and August 31, 1937, charged with the examination and the preparation of a report upon petitions and claims addressed to the Government of the Spanish Republic by foreign entities or persons arising with respect to the activities of the Civil Administration effected since July 18, 1936.
It does not appear that you have as yet had a reply from the Ministry of State to your note no. 6 of January 6, 1938, a copy of which was transmitted with your despatch of that date. You may again take up the matter with the appropriate authorities with a view to obtaining a reply at the earliest possible date.
The Department desires you also to endeavor to ascertain through independent sources and report promptly with the greatest possible detail concerning the scope and activities of this Commission, the precise nature of the claims to be considered by it, what rules and [Page 297] regulations it has formulated with regard to the presentation of claims and the evidence to be submitted, et cetera, et cetera.
So far as can be gathered from the meager information to date furnished the Department, the presentation of claims to the Commission is merely permissive and not in any sense mandatory. It is understood that a failure to present them would in no way prejudice claims.
The Department will appreciate your keeping in touch with the matter and promptly informing it of any developments. The Department also desires to be informed of what, if any, claims have been reported by the Embassy.
There is enclosed a copy in triplicate of a letter from Fulbright, Crooker and Freeman,68 attorneys in this city, representing Anderson, Clayton and Company, of Houston, Texas, transmitting a letter addressed to the Government of the Spanish Republic regarding the requisitioning by that Government of 213 bales of Argentine cotton belonging to Anderson, Clayton and Company. There are also enclosed the original letter and duplicate copies of the Anderson, Clayton letter in question.68 The Department, with the meager information in its possession cannot instruct you whether or not to transmit Anderson, Clayton and Company’s letter to the authorities of the Spanish Government. You may, however, do so if you consider this to be an appropriate action. You will observe that no supporting documentary evidence accompanies the letter. Please advise what you do with respect to this case.
There is also enclosed a copy of the Department’s letter to Fulbright, Crooker and Freeman.68
Very truly yours,