883.5151/39: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Egypt (Kirk)

459. Your 1306, September 8, 8 p.m., 1311, September 9, 11 a.m., and 1318, September 10, 11 a.m. You are requested to discuss the text of the proclamation informally with the appropriate Egyptian authorities, pointing out that in cases where similar regulations have been enacted in other foreign countries American nationals have been relieved, under certain stipulated conditions, from the obligation of declaring or offering for sale to the pertinent authorities their securities and foreign currency holdings, and that it is the earnest hope of [Page 338] this Government that the Egyptian regulations will be applied in an equally liberal manner to American citizens residing in Egypt.

For use in your discretion, it may be stated that the British Government has granted broad exemptions in favor of American nationals (not also possessing British nationality) residing in the United Kingdom from the requirement under the Defense (Finance) Regulations of declaring or surrendering foreign currency balances and securities. Similar exemptions have been extended to American nationals in all British colonies and mandates, and have been granted, wherever the question has been raised, in British Dominions.

Hull