File No. 763.72113/379
The Belgian Minister ( De Cartier) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 22.]
Mr. Secretary of State: I have the honor to communicate herein below to Your Excellency the text of a despatch which I have just received from the King’s Government.
In the presence of the systematic plundering of French territory evacuated by the German troops and in the fear that other misdeeds of the same kind might be committed in our banking establishments, the Council of Ministers has approved a draft of law-decree which is now submitted to the King’s sanction.
It declares null and void every conveyance, every disposal of property, real or personal, public or private, that has been made by the enemy the object of confiscation, seizure or any other measures affecting Government property (whenever such measures do not come under a normal administration of the Government’s interests), the property of private persons, communes, provinces, and public institutions. Are so null and void not only the conveyances effected by the enemy or on the enemy’s order, but also all subsequent conveyances, the whole transference of the property being vitiated by the irregular character of the decision from which it sprang. That property may be claimed back, no matter in whose hands it is found, and those who knowingly are instrumental in carrying out the irregular measures taken by the enemy, who sell, purchase, give away or accept as collateral any property subjected to such measures will be liable to special punishment.
The King’s Government is curious to know in this connection whether the Allied Governments would not agree to notify the [Page 260] German Government that, if it should carry out its plan to open, in banks in occupied territory, the safes or deposits under seal belonging to private persons for the purpose of attaching, confiscating, or removing the contents, the Allied Governments would take the same measures concerning the deposits made in banks in their respective territories by persons subject to the jurisdiction of the German Empire and its allies.
The question, then, is one of reprisals to be applied to German, Austro-Hungarian, Turkish, and Bulgarian depositors. The fear of exposing its nationals thereto might perhaps deter the German Government if it should contemplate further spoliations.
The King’s Government would attach the greatest value to knowing the views of the American Government on this point and I should be thankful to Your Excellency if you would be so very obliging as to acquaint me with the views entertained on the subject by the authorities concerned.
I take [etc.]