126

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Typed Letter Signed, as President, to Nathan Ottinger,

explaining the mistake in his claim concerning the return of seized property to German nationals--the claim that a recent Resolution of Congress violates the assurances given by the Secretary of State in 1917--by pointing out that the Resolution postpones the return of property, it does not confiscate it. 1 page, 4to, White House stationery; horizontal folds.

Washington, 28 May 1935.

  • Notes: "I have given consideration to your letter . . . relating to . . . the return to German nationals of property seized by the Alien Property Custodian under the Trading with the Enemy Act of October sixth, 1917. You state that . . . the Resolution [53 of the 73rd Congress] is incompatible with the assurance given by the Secretary of State on February eighth, 1917 . . . relating to private rights of aliens . . . .
    "Public Resolution 53 provides . . . for a postponement of all . . . property . . . and the reservation of all such money and property and the income thereof 'so long as Germany is in arrears in any payment of principal or interest' . . . . The act [referenced in the Resolution], you will note, provides not for a confiscation but for a postponement of return. . . .
    "The press statement . . . discloses no assurance given for the benefit of nationals of prospective enemy countries. Nor does it appear that any action has been taken inconsistent with rights accorded our Government under the Treaty of Berlin for the protection and security of American nationals having claims against the German Government."


    With--Eleanor Roosevelt. Typed Letter Signed, to Director General of the Pan-American Union Leo Stanton Rowe ("My dear Dr. Rowe"), introducing Catherine Heffelfinger. ½ page, 8vo. Hyde Park, 23 August 1940. With the original envelope.

    Nathan Ottinger (1874-1940) was an attorney and justice of the Supreme Court of New York, serving after the first World War as counsel to the Alien Property Custodian, researching in Europe and the United Kingdom claims made against the Custodian.
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