740.00113 E.W. 1939/1018½
Memorandum by the Assistant Chief of the Division of European Affairs (Henderson) to the Acting Chief of the Division (Atherton)
Mr. Atherton: We feel that it is extremely important that the property in this country owned by persons in the enemy-occupied territories should be administered by United States agencies who [Page 544] should also represent the foreign owners. We also strongly feel that the governments-in-exile as well as the Soviet Government have no right with respect to this property other than to consult with the Alien Property Custodian and the Treasury with respect to action affecting the property of their nationals. So far as those portions of Poland and the Baltic States which are claimed by the Soviet Government are concerned, we should make it clear at once if the Soviet Government should approach us with regard to the property of persons in that territory that we cannot accept suggestions from the Soviet Government with regard to the administering or disposition of property of persons in occupied Soviet territory except that territory which we recognize as Soviet. If we show the slightest weakness and equivocation in this regard the Soviet Government will at once bring tremendous pressure on us and in the end our relations will be more unfavorably affected than they would be if we display firmness at the outset.