340.1115A/195a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Germany (Kirk)
709. The cessation of hostilities in Poland49 has raised a number of questions concerning American citizens, and friends and relatives of American citizens residing in that portion of Poland occupied by the German forces.
The Department desires that you approach the appropriate German authorities and discuss with them the following questions:
- 1.
- Are the German authorities prepared to facilitate whereabouts and welfare inquiries in respect to American citizens now in occupied Poland?
- 2.
- Are the German authorities prepared to facilitate the transmission of funds to American citizens now in occupied Poland?
- 3.
- Are the German authorities prepared to assist in the repatriation of American citizens now residing in Poland? This question is of course intimately associated with question 2.
- 4.
- Are the German authorities prepared to cooperate in protection of interests, inquiries, transmission of funds, et cetera, with the American Consulate General in Warsaw?
- 5.
- Are the German authorities disposed to facilitate whereabouts and welfare inquiries concerning non-American friends and relatives of American citizens who may now be in that portion of Poland occupied by the German forces?
It is not believed that any new assignment commissions will be necessary for the consular officers at Warsaw. Any action now taken for the protection of American citizens and their property in Poland is not to be interpreted as recognition of the validity of transfer of such territory to German sovereignty.
Please cable the result of your conversation concerning these matters including any suggestions for the most satisfactory accomplishment of the services above mentioned for American citizens.