File No. 763.72112/6247
The Acting Secretary of State to the Swedish Minister ( Ekengren)
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your notes, No. 1728/23 of October 29, 1917,2 and Ad No. 1728/23 of January 7, 1918,2 stating that you have been requested by the Austro-Hungarian Government to ascertain how measures to be taken by the Government of the United States pursuant to the provisions of the Trading with the Enemy Act, approved October 6, 1917, will apply to Austro-Hungarian subjects.
By way of reply I beg to enclose for your information a copy of the act in question together with a copy of an Executive order issued on October 12, 1917,3 pursuant to the provisions thereof.
In view of the impossibility of anticipating the varying circumstances which may arise in connection with the administration of the provisions of the act, you will readily appreciate the reluctance with [Page 278] which this Government would undertake to indicate in advance and in general terms the nature of the action which it may be found necessary to take with respect to interests of Austro-Hungarian subjects in carrying into effect the provisions of the act. I may inform you, however, that no proclamation has been issued by the President pursuant to the provisions of section 2(c) of the act.
Accept [etc.]