840.48 Refugees/8–3144: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:26 p.m.]
5689. Swiss notice dated August 26 contains following with reference numbered paragraph 1 of Department’s 2407, July 13.
Swiss Legation Berlin in recent report on situation in Germany of bearers identity papers issued in name Latin American republics set forth difficulties encountered in efforts protect such persons.
It appears particularly that German authorities beginning differentiate between passports held by persons possessing nationality of countries in question by birth and those issued with view protecting Jews against action which might be taken against them.
They refuse recognize right of interested persons to claim Latin American nationality not because of expiration validity of passports but because antecedents of Jews concerned and nature of identity document in their possession constitute in view said officials sufficient proof that they acquired these documents “ad hoc”.
Swiss Legation expresses view that extension these passports “ad hoc” is not the essential matter but that it is fundamental that said Legation be informed in some manner of presence these Latin American citizens who do not appear its registers. As bearers identity documents this character have not in many cases been reported to Swiss Legation, it might happen in case German authorities should inquire whether particular person is among those protected by it that said Legation would not be able furnish information regarding nationality claimed by interested person.
Swiss Legation suggests in order facilitate its representations to German Government that governments in whose name identity documents issued, prepare lists as complete as possible of bearers these documents with accompanying declaration that these governments recognize these persons as their nationals.