740.00113 European War 1939/929: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2 p.m.]
3833. American interests Germany. Legation’s 5525, November 30.15 Legation, Berlin, forwards second part report dated June 11, German treatment American property. Semi-official estimate total value American property Germany 1,700,000,000 reichmarks. Report lists names American companies for which administrators [have been] appointed [in] Germany 24 banks 35 companies, Belgium 3 companies, France 7 companies, Norway 2 companies, total 71. Administrators appointed all branches American banks Germany without exception. Report confirms [that] to date no case liquidation forced sale amalgamation American company.
Proposed requisition by German authorities furniture American citizens [and] forced sale property for payment taxes rent due in most cases [was] prevented by intervention Swiss representatives.
Text of report follows by air mail.16
- Not printed; it stated that the Swiss Legation at Berlin had prepared a lengthy report on German treatment of American property, the first part of which covered the legal position of private property after the effective date of various decrees regarding enemy property. In transmitting the first part the Swiss Minister stated that the decrees expressly provided that enemy property in Germany should not be seized, and contained regulations especially intended to guarantee the safety and security of enemy property until the end of the war. The Swiss Legation was unaware of a single case of liquidation, forced sale, or expropriation of American property in Germany, and the Minister expressed the belief that the German authorities did not intend to change their attitude unless measures were taken by American authorities against German property in the United States. (740.00113 European War 1939/566)↩
- Despatch No. 5517, July 1, not printed.↩