Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The American Republics, Volume IX

740.39112A/1–1545

The Chargé in the Dominican Republic (Newbegin) to the Secretary of State

No. 654

Ciudad Trujillo, January 15, 1945.
[Received January 22.]

Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s circular telegram of September 20, 1944, 5 p.m.² regarding the Proclaimed List³ policy. In this telegram the Department outlined the general program of the American and British Governments for the continuation of the proclaimed and statutory lists⁴ after the termination of the war, explained a proposal for inducing foreign governments to eliminate spearhead Axis firms, and requested a list of those firms whose names should remain on the Proclaimed List during the post-war period.

Due to the peculiar situation existing in the Dominican Republic it is believed that it would be desirable for the American Government to pursue its policy of liquidating the Proclaimed List independent of the Dominican Government. One reason for this recommendation is that in the opinion of this Embassy and of the British Legation there are no Axis spearhead firms operating in this Republic. Another reason is that while the Dominican Government has never interfered with the operations of the Proclaimed List, and has even cooperated to a certain extent in its enforcement, it is unlikely that that Government is sufficiently concerned about any of the firms or individuals whose names appear in the Proclaimed List to care whether or not they are removed, and, therefore, no basis exists for a quid pro quo bargaining with the Dominican Government.

It is recommended that the names which appear in the Proclaimed List for the Dominican Republic may be deleted from that list in the order in which they are shown below. These names have been divided into two groups. The first of which is comprised of two enterprises which have been closed and six individuals who are believed to be in no way dangerous to the Allied war effort and whose removal would not affect the prestige of the Allied Governments. It is recommended that the names appearing in this first group be removed at an early date. The second group is composed of German interests and of Italian interests whose owners have been particularly objectionable politically in the past. It is believed that the names contained in this second group should be left on the Proclaimed List until the termination of the war in Europe, at which time they could all be safely removed. The majority of the Germans whose names appear in the list have been deported, but it is recommended that no changes be made in their listing until the end of the war because it is possible that they hold property in the Dominican Republic which has not come to the attention of this Embassy. The British Legation has expressed its concurrence in these recommendations. As previously stated, there appear to be no spearhead firms in this area whose listing should be continued after the war.

[Here follows a list of persons and interests divided into the two groups described above.]

Respectfully yours,

Robert Newbegin

2. Foreign Relations, 1944, vol. vii, p. 530.
3. The Proclaimed List of Certain Blocked Nationals, authorized by Presidential Proclamation of July 17, 1941. For text of Proclamation, see 55 Stat. (pt. 2) 1657 or Department of State Bulletin, July 19, 1941, p. 42. For statements concerning the development of the List, see Foreign Relations, 1941, vol. vi, pp. 268 ff. and ibid., 1942, vol. v, pp. 280 ff.
4. The British Statutory List was almost identical to the Proclaimed List. For a comparative description of the two lists, see telegram 819, April 8, to Moscow, vol. ii, p. 835.