763.72113/1141: Telegram
The Chargé in Guatemala (Thurston) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 13, 7.30 p.m.]
Department’s November 8, 6 p.m.28 The addressdo [acuerdo] has not been published nor have I been furnished promised written statement.
Please refer to my despatch number 87528 and recent telegrams on this subject. Under special orders from the Alien Property Custodian coffee is being removed from enemy properties as rapidly as possible. Continued delay in effecting sales steadily advances the date on which any of these properties can be transferred, which in turn means that plantations very probably will be stripped before new owners take possession.
Continued delay likewise affords encouragement of German owners of these properties (who are arriving from abroad by every boat) and ample opportunity to prepare plans whereby, with the very willing connivance of natives, they may purchase these properties at prices bona fide business men would not pay.