365D.1163/143

The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State

No. 1536

Sir: With reference to the Embassy’s despatch no. 1285 of February 7, 1939 and previous correspondence with the Department concerning the expropriation by the Italian authorities of the property of the Seventh Day Adventists Mission in Ethiopia, I have the honor to report that on August 3 the Embassy received a check from the Italian Government for Ł6738.11.0, said to be the price for the hospital of Filoha (Filhwoa), in Ethiopia, agreed upon by the Seventh Day Adventists Mission in Addis Ababa and the Italian authorities in a contract signed April 13, 1939. The check under reference was made payable to the Treasurer, Southern European Division of the General Conference of Seventh Day Adventists.

The Embassy accordingly communicated through the Legation at Bern, Switzerland, with Mr. A. V. Olson, President of the General Conference of Seventh Day Adventists, and has now received a reply requesting that the check be sent to Mr. F. Brennwald, 17 Höheweg, Bern, who, it is understood, is the Division Treasurer of the organization under discussion. This request has been complied with.

Respectfully yours,

William Phillips