740.0011 European War 1939/32497: Telegram

The Ambassador in Colombia (Lane) to the Secretary of State

2411. Colombian Government has issued decree 2622 dated December 31 [30], 1943 which recites Colombia’s state of belligerency with [Page 833] Germany, the damages and expenses caused to Colombia because of this state of belligerency which should be compensated, and decrees (1) existing system of fiduciary administration of property of German nationals will continue in force until Germany or its subjects have compensated Colombia or its citizens for damages which Germany or its subjects have caused to property of Colombia or its citizens and for expenses incurred by Treasury of Colombia due to existing state of belligerency provoked by Germany; Article 11 of decree 59 of 1942 is modified to this extent; (2) registration of any and all documents involving property of Germans not under fiduciary administration is prohibited; corporations and other legal entities are forbidden ta accept transfers of stocks or other interests belonging to Germans; (3) property under fiduciary administration remains subject to existing control measures. Text of decree with Embassy’s comments will be forwarded by despatch.

Lane