File No. 763.72113/437

The British Chargé ( Barclay) to the Secretary of State

No. 55

Sir: My Belgian colleague has communicated to me a copy of the note which he has addressed to you on the 10th instant, enclosing the final protocol of a recent Anglo–Franco–Belgian conference in Paris on the subject of Allied property and interests in enemy countries and in territory occupied by the enemy, and inviting the United States Government to adhere to the policy outlined therein.1

In conformity with instructions which I have received from His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, I have the honour to support the representation which has thus been made to you by His Excellency Monsieur Cartier de Marchienne.

At the same time, I am directed to make it quite clear to you that the policy of the “bloc” entails no confiscation of enemy property, His Majesty’s Government being of opinion that such confiscation is contrary to all the modern principles of international law, but that it means that the nations who adhere thereto will all act together in refraining from releasing enemy property on the conclusion of peace until they are assured that Allied property in enemy countries will be released in the same way.

I have [etc.]

Colville Barclay
  1. See supra.