702.6211/1544
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Under Secretary of State (Welles)
In the absence from Washington of the German Chargé d’Affaires,40 I requested the First Secretary of the Embassy, Dr. Tannenberg,40a to call upon me in his stead.
I handed to Dr. Tannenberg the note dated June 1641 informing the German Government of the desire of the United States that German consular establishments and other agencies of the German Reich in the United States be closed prior to July 10 and that the officials and individuals connected with those consular establishments and agencies be withdrawn from the United States.
I asked Dr. Tannenberg to read the note in question, which he did.
I then stated to Dr. Tannenberg that he would doubtless have observed that the note did not apply to the German Embassy in Washington nor to the officials connected therewith.
[Page 629]I further stated that it was the intention of the Government of the United States to accord the most correct treatment to all of these German officials and employees prior to their departure and that it was not anticipated that they would be subject to any form of internment or restriction of their liberty, and that they would have until July 10 to liquidate their personal affairs.
I further stated that the Government of the United States would make every effort to obtain safe conducts from the British authorities so that these German citizens could return to Germany.
Dr. Tannenberg inquired whether the route of return to Germany would be subject to discussion between the two Governments. I stated that this question would be determined as a result of an exchange of views between the two Governments and that I would suggest that Dr. Thomsen or Dr. Tannenberg communicate with Mr. Atherton42 with regard to this question.