702.6281/53
The Department of State to the Swiss Legation
Memorandum
The Department of State refers to its note of April 3, 1943 to the Legation of Switzerland in charge of German interests regarding the possible repatriation of the American officials seized by the German Government on French territory together with their household effects.
In paragraph 10 of the aforementioned note reference is made to the proposal of the German Government for the exchange of household effects other than furniture of the American group in German hands against the household effects of the German consular officers who were at Casablanca and Algiers.
The Department is informed that the personal and household effects of the German consular officers at Casablanca were taken over by the Spanish Consul at that city and that a portion thereof has been sent away by that official. The balance of the effects are now under his custody and permission may be granted him to ship them abroad when the negotiations with the German Government warrant such action.
It is pointed out that the effects of the German consular officers at Casablanca have not been in the custody of United States authorities and that the United States Government can accept no responsibility for them.
The subject of the effects of the German consular officers who were at Algiers will be dealt with separately when additional information is received.