File No. 711.6221/165
The Secretary of State to the Swiss Minister ( Ritter )
Memorandum
The Secretary of State presents his compliments to the Minister of Switzerland, in charge of German interests in the United States, and has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the Minister’s memorandum of April 26, 1917, in regard to the competence of Swiss consuls, acting in the interests of absent German heirs, to receive personal property in settlement of inheritances.
In reply the Minister of Switzerland is informed that inasmuch as it is possible that the general subject of his inquiry may be taken up in war legislation before the present Congress, the Secretary of State is not at present in position to give a definite expression of opinion.