File No. 711.6221/165
The Swiss Minister ( Ritter ) to the Secretary of State
Department of German Interests
Memorandum
The Swiss Minister, representing German interests in the United States, presents his compliments to the Secretary of State, and has [Page 258] the honor to address His Excellency in regard to the competence of Swiss consuls, acting in the interests of absent German heirs, to receive personal property in the settlement of inheritances.
Since the severance of diplomatic relations between the United States and Germany, the Swiss consulates have been acting in the place of the German consulates for absent German heirs, in all cases where the latter were not duly represented. Furthermore, the Swiss consuls in pursuance of these functions have received personal property belonging to such heirs and have remitted the same to be placed on account of this Legation.
In some States, question appears to have arisen in regard to the right of the Swiss consuls to collect such property belonging to absent German heirs and legatees, and the erroneous impression seems to prevail that property so received is to be transmitted to Germany. In view of these circumstances, therefore, and desirous of facilitating the proceedings in inheritance matters, the Swiss Minister has the honor to request that His Excellency kindly advise him whether the Department of State is inclined to support the views of this Legation that the Swiss consuls in pursuance of the functions with which they have been charged, may properly collect and receive personal property belonging to absent German heirs, with the understanding that all such property is to be deposited on account of the Swiss Legation at Washington.
[Received April 27.]