811.91262/244: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Germany (Morris)
1202. Reference Department’s instructions on the (1) Nelson and Jacobsen,11 (2) Allen, and (3) Hottelet cases. In presenting these notes to the Foreign Office, you are requested to seek an interview with a high official and to indicate orally that the continued detention in prison of these American citizens without charges being formally presented against them is in marked contrast to the treatment accorded certain German cases in the United States where the accused persons are frequently released on bail. A continuation of this practice on [Page 609] the part of German authorities could ultimately react unfavorably for accused German citizens in the United States. Furthermore, in the case of Allen, you may point out that the time he has already spent in prison would appear to be sufficient punishment for the offense, and this is particularly true in view of the German treatment of similar cases. You may likewise state that the German crews accused of sabotage are allowed frequent access to their consular representatives in the United States.12
Please cable full report on German reaction to your representations.
- Frank Nelson and Ivan Jacobsen, American citizens in Norway, were arrested by German authorities in early December 1940, charged with being in possession of documents hostile to the Government in Norway established under German occupation.↩
- For correspondence concerning arrest of crews of the Pauline Friedrich and the Arauca, see vol. i, pp. 451 ff.↩