340.1115A/3302b: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)
2179. Financial assistance in captured territory. Inform Foreign Office that as a provisional measure and to mitigate human suffering in areas where abnormal conditions obtain, United States Government would be grateful if Swiss Government would authorize its representatives in areas captured from the enemy to continue until further notice to extend from funds for representation of United States interests financial assistance to qualified American nationals in accordance with Department’s instruction 1202 of February 14, 1942,17 as [Page 125] amended. Swiss representatives in such areas would, of course, reduce financial assistance to such extent as it might be supplanted by United Nations’ or other general relief measures applicable to inhabitants of such areas. Moreover, it is contemplated that financial assistance will terminate upon reestablishment of normal channels of communication and commercial banking facilities for transactions in foreign exchange. If financial assistance is still being extended when Swiss representative relinquishes representation of United States interests to American diplomatic or consular officers, the latter will be authorized to continue such assistance on similar basis. It would be helpful in such instances if Swiss representative might deliver to American representatives lists of American nationals qualified to receive financial assistance, records of payments, receipt forms, et cetera.