Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The American Republics, Volume VII

740.00112A European War 1939/36679: Telegram

The Ambassador in Guatemala (Long) to the Secretary of State

Guatemala, June 22, 1944—6 p.m.
[Received June 23—12:25 a.m.]

384. Reference previous correspondence on Proclaimed List coffee and expropriation of enemy alien properties.

The Chief of Protocol today brought me from the President a draft of a decree which it is expected will be published today or tomorrow expropriating coffee plantations owned by German Nationals on ground of public necessity and utility.⁶⁸ It is not clear from the phraseology of the decree whether all German property will be expropriated or only holdings of persons who are considered to constitute a danger to the security of the Republic and the defense of the hemisphere. The decree provides that indemnification will be based on the valuation declared by the owners for tax purposes and will be held in suspense until after the war. It also provides that the executive will determine in subsequent decrees the individuals and corporations whose properties will be expropriated in favor of the nation.

There can be little doubt that this development is not unconnected with the political situation which I have reported in separate telegraphic communications.

Further developments will be reported by cable.

Long

68. Copy and translation of this Decree, No. 3115, was transmitted to the Department by Ambassador Long in his despatch 1243 of June 23, 1944, not printed.