740.0011 European War 1939/33940a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland ( Harrison )

1147. 1. Please call formally upon the appropriate Swiss authorities to say that with reference to the tragic incident at Schaffhausen on April 1 your Government would welcome information from the Swiss Government as soon as possible as to the full amount of the property and personal damage resulting from the accident in order that appropriate reparations can promptly be made to the unfortunate victims and thus at least to that extent help to alleviate their distress.

2. Strictly for your information only: It is the strong feeling of the War Department and of this Department that prompt action on the part of this Government in meeting without haggling the claims which the Swiss Government may make for the property and personal damage resulting from this accident will redound to our benefit. We wish therefore that you handle the matter in your dealings with the Swiss with this background in mind without however specifically informing the Swiss that we intend to pay their claims without question.

We understand that the War Department is informing Legge of the foregoing.

Hull