Evening star., 1941-06-19
Britain Asked 10 Pass
Nazis 0usted by U. 5.
Through Blockade
WeIles Says Expelled
ConsuIs Will Be Sent
Direct to Germany
By LLOYD LEHRBAS.
Associated Press Stan Writer.

|
German consular officials in this
country, it was learned authorita-
/ lively today, as the first move in
carrying out President RooSevelt's
order that they deparI by July 10
! because of acts ''inimical to the well
/ fare of this country"
! The obligations. as we'll as the
interests, of the United States are
| that the German officials be safely
/ transported to their homes, it was
| explained, and not be permitted to
| transfer their operations to Latin
| American republics where AxiS-in-
Spired activities already exist.
/ Asked whether any action would
be taken to prevent the ousted Nazi
officials from going to other Ameri-
can republics, Undersecretary of
State Welles emphasized that ar
rangements were for their direct re-
turn to their homeland.
Flat Rejection Presaged.
The State Departments prompt
action in undertaking to arrange
for safe conduct" through the
British blockade was described in
informed quarters as presaging a
fat rejection of the German govern
ment's protest against the White
House order.
Mr.. Welles provided a broad hint
yesterday that the German protest
would be rejected when he said he
had informed Hans Thomson. the
German charge d'affaires, it would
be given consideration.
At the same time, however the
Undersecretary disclosed that ar
rangements were already under way
for the departure of an estimated
l25 consular officers and employees in
"a American cities on the ground
they had engaged in activities
wholly outside the scope of their
legitimate duties" and "of improper
and unWarranted character"
Under the normal procedure, it
was said. Great Britain would accord
safe conduct to the consular Of
ficials. in the same manner they
permitted Admiral Alberto Lais.
Italian naval attache, to return to
Italy after he had been charged
with implications in the sabotage
of Italian ships here, and requested
TO leave.
Ship to Lisbon Proposed.
A question was raised however,
whether the same diplomatic i'm
munity would be extended to en-
ployes Of the consulates or to the
estimated so employees Of Trans
ocean News Service, the German Ii
brary of Information and the Ger
man Railway and Travel Bureau,
who were also ordered to leave this
country.
One proposal made was for allthe
consular officers-and employees Of
the German organizations. If per-
mItted-to be transported aboard an
American ship to Lisbon, whence
they could reach Germany.
In view of their number. sup
Elementary proposal was for those
in the West to return via Japan and
the Trans-S Siberian Railroad.
Meanwhile, the United States has
notified the other American govern
ments of the expulsion order, there
by raising the question of applying
a American resolution enjoin-
ing all the countries to prevent ac-
tivities OF foreign agents which EN-
danger the peace and the democratic
traditions of America"
Tighten Up on ViSas.
In another move designed to tight
! en- immigration restrictions and pre-
vent the entry of fifth columnists"
or subversive agents, the State De-
psrtment announced yesterday that
no visa would be granted "in certain
| countries" to aliens having relatives
| still residing in countries occupied or
controlled by another nation.
While the announcement named
no countries, officials made no Sc
cret that it was directed against pro-
spective immigrants from Germany
or an-conquered countries who
might have "an obligation to act" as
Nazi agents here, leaving their close
relatives as hostages.
The State Department. Is was
/ stated. had information "of an in
cressing number Of (such) in
stances"
Nam Claim Treaty Violation.
While the German note delivered
by Herr Thomson was not made
public, it was learned it protested
against enforced departure Of the
consular officials as violation OF
the treaty of friendship, commerce
and consular rights signed by Ger
many and the United States on De-
cember 8. 1923.
Since that treaty provides that
Germany may maintain consuls in
this country, it was said, the order
requiring all consulates to close and
consular officials and employees to
leave American territory constitutes
a violation.
In informed quarters, however, 1t
was pointed out that the treaty pro-
vided for German consuls to func-
tion here on the assumption they
would engage in legitimate consular
affairs. Nothing in the treaty, it was
emphasized, granted the consuls the
right to engage in activities detri-
mental to the interests of the
American Government, as has been
rharoed