740.00113 E.W. 1939/1239
The Ambassador in Colombia ( Lane ) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 15]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to this Embassy’s telegram no. 2411 of December 31, 1943, and to enclose the Spanish text and English translation of Decree no. 2622 issued by the Colombian Government on December 30, 1943.87
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The importance of this decree lies primarily in the provisions of Article 1 thereof which constitutes a declaration of policy of the Colombian Government with reference to seeking indemnification for damages from the property of German nationals. Aside from this feature, Decree 2622 adds very little to existing controls.
However, the Chief of the Department of Control of Property of Foreigners has informed an officer of this Embassy that he construes Article 2 of the instant decree to apply to all German citizens regardless of whether they have heretofore been excluded from the Colombian controls because of lack of adverse information concerning them. He observed that the provisions of such article are applicable to all property of German nationals not under fiduciary administration, and he is of the opinion that unless modified by subsequent decrees, it will [Page 834] have the effect of German nationals now excluded from the controls petitioning to have their property placed under fiduciary administration, which will create a considerable administrative problem.
Respectfully yours,
Counselor of Embassy for Economic Affairs
- Not printed.↩