740.00115 European War 1939/1677: Telegram
The Chargé in Switzerland (Huddle) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 6—3:31 p.m.]
57. American Interests—Germany. Department’s 363, 22d.2 Swiss Foreign Office in note dated January 5 transmits following telegram from Swiss Legation, Berlin (German translation):
“The regulations regarding American citizens in Germany or in territories occupied by German troops are to be considered entirely as reprisals. The German Government wishes to emphasize particularly that this be made clear to the American Government. Up to the [Page 244] present time a prohibition to cross any borders has been stipulated as well as a prohibition to leave the city and in some cases the house also, without permission of German authorities. Number of arrested Americans is considered to be far less than number of Germans arrested in America. Arrests made have been of men between 18 and 60 years of age. As reprisals a few women have also been arrested.”
Swiss Foreign Office advises that Swiss Minister, Berlin, strongly recommends liberal treatment for Germans in United States so that he may be able obtain improvement in condition of Americans residing in Germany.
- Not printed; it requested the Swiss Federal Political Department to endeavor to ascertain through appropriate Swiss representatives welfare in general of American nationals in Germany and German-occupied territory (124.62/286a).↩