Document: 366 U.S. 187 81 S.Ct. 922 6 L.Ed.2d 218 Andja KOLOVRAT et al., Petitioners,v.OREGON. No. 102. Argued March 30, 1961. Decided May 1, Mr. Lawrence S. Lesser, Washington, D.C., for petitioners. Miss Catherine Zorn, Salem, Or., respondent. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Joe Stoich and Muharem Zekich died in Oregon December 1953 without having made wills to dispose personal property they owned that State. Their only heirs next kin, who but being aliens could have inherited this under law, were brothers, sisters, nieces nephews all residents nationals Yugoslavia. But § 111.070 Revised Statutes rather severely limits rights not living United States 'take' either real or its proceeds 'by succession testamentary disposition.'1 And subsection (3) same statute provides where there are no kin except ineligible deceased will, shall be taken by State as escheated property. 2 The filed petitions provision an Circuit Court take itself both decedents,2 alleging eligible Ore.Rev.Stat. 111.070. answers Yugoslavian relatives San Francisco Consul General country (who petitioners here) alleged 'in fact law reciprocal inheritance prescribed ORS did exist' between Yugoslavia when decedents therefore law. After hearings which evidence was taken, trial court found right required 111.070(1)(a) exist that, at time two trial, existed 'rights citizens receive payment them within * moneys originating from estates persons dying Yugoslavia' 111.070(1)(b). Supreme reversed, holding had failed prove 'the ultimate fact' 'as a matter unqualified enforceable defined 111.070.'3 It instead such because laws give discretion authorities control foreign exchange payments way might prevent Americans receiving full value inheritances. accordingly held state standing alone barred these inheriting their relatives' Oregon. 3 went on say disposes petitioners' claims '(u)nless area alien over ofOregon seeks through supra, has been preempted some treaty agreement subsisting States' decedents' death. On point said: 4 'We mindful local may affected overriding federal policy makes different conflicting arrangements. In event, must way. Clark v. Allen, 331 503, 517, 67 1431, 91 L.Ed. 1633, (1645). *' 220 Or. 448, 462, 349 P.2d 255, 262—263. 5 Thus, recognizing quite properly policies inherit our Constitution's Supremacy Clause 'overriding' treaties arrangements, considered contention, supported Government amicus curiae, entitled 1881 Treaty Serbia, is now part rejected contention basis interpretation although it correctly recognized still effect Yugoslavia.4 also defeated solely possible Foreign Exchange Laws Regulations since those regulations admittedly meet requirements Bretton Woods Agreement 1945,5 signatories. We granted certiorari cases involve important asserted reliance upon obligations. Kolovrat Oregon, 364 812, 44, 44. For reasons stated, we hold does entitle located American away impaired monetary exercised accordance with later agreements States. I. 7 parts most relevant problem set out below.6 very restrictive meaning given based chiefly language: 8 'In concerns acquiring, possessing disposing every kind Serbia Serbian subjects States, enjoy respective grant each states favored nation.' 9 This, held, means confers citizen acquire if he Serbia' States.' court's conclusion, therefore, complainants, leaving This one plausible quoted language, just plausibly mean rights, would restrict almost vanishing benefited clause. cannot accept more view light entire language history. many times face against interpretations unduly adopted protect.7 10 clearly declares basic purpose bring about 'reciprocally liberty commerce navigation' signatory nations so 'shall establish themselves freely other's territory.' free receive, trading, donation, marriage, any other manner 'under conditions paragraphs Art. II pertinence here contain 'most nation' clause regard 'acquiring, property.' grants broadest privileges accords nation will make. connection pointed country, Argentina before Serbia,8 Poland Czechoslovakia,9 unambiguously provide signatories precisely protect claimants relatives. 11 conferred Treaty, broadly stated are, fall far short what individuals hope desire complete fulfillment work frugality accumulated his own denied gratification loved most, simply ones another born. Moreover, property' afforded merchants businessmen conducting trade homeland, Treaty's effectiveness achieving express 'facilitating commercial relations' obviously limited.10 niggardly fashion designed promote freest traffic, communications associations among should interpreted, unless compelling necessity. There certainly compulsion 12 While courts interpret themselves, departments government particularly charged negotiation enforcement great weight.11 us statements, form diplomatic notes exchanged responsible agencies Yugoslavia, always, construed providing countries' location passed domiciles nationals. correspondence instructions issued Department show series negotiated concluded expansive principles reciprocity. Government's entering into general put countries par rights.12 13 apparently thought bound decide question construction decision 1633. do agree. case 1923 Germany, 44 Stat. 2132 confer German residing Germany citizens. which, isolation, sufficiently similar controlling provisions suggest interpreted meaning.13 differences crucial. covered disposal property; covers acquisition well disposal. us, out, contains highly significant clause, long used broaden scope protected treaties; identical pertinent previously limited Court, unwilling depart Allen. Finally, history negotiations for, practices support claims, supporting brought attention respect Treaty. 14 Oregon; but, grounds Court's holding, briefly consider whether abrogated II. 15 forbids exists right' country. left much issue impair legacies inheritances abroad reason 'unqualified funds justify permitting Yugoslavians Petitioners urge doubt uncertainty created contend even supervening States-Yugoslavian agree latter contention. 16 International Monetary Fund (Bretton Woods) 1945, signatories, comprehensively obligates participating maintain controls consistent terms Agreement. Agreement's broad purpose, shown IV, 4, 'to stability, orderly arrangements members, avoid competitive alterations.' Article VI, 3, exercising international capital movements current transactions delay transfers settlement commitments *.' regulating expressly recognizes authority concerned payments.'14 addition this, 1948 Yugoslavia15 obligated words Senate Report Agreement, continue most-favored-nation treatment ownership assets (and) required, article 10, authorize pay debts nationals, firms, agencies, and, feasible, permit dollar purpose.'16 17 These Nation programs deemed desirable bringing about, can done, stability uniformity difficult field world exchange. purported achieve rigid valuation guarantee times, places circumstances 'definitely ascertainable' measured diverse currencies world. Doubtless goal. National powers feasible toward end, power make matters national necessity Constitution. proper governmental selected whole, course refuse fear valid possibly completely satisfaction authorities. Our assent agreements, coupled continuing adherence precludes deciding meeting standards defeating 18 judgment reversed cause remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion. 19 Reversed remanded. '(1) territories thereof disposition, inhabitants dependent case: '(a) Upon existence inhabitant citizen; '(b) money country; '(c) proof heirs, distributees, devisees legatees benefit, use confiscation, whole part, governments countries. '(2) burden nonresident forth (1) section.' consolidated treated since. 461, 262. reported 22 963. Official recognition Settlement Pecuniary Claims Against July 19, 1948, 62 2658, T.I.A.S. 1803, 5. 60 1401, 1501. 'The America His Highness Prince animated facilitating developing relations established countries, determined object conclude *. 'Article 'There reciprocally navigation high contracting powers, territory. property, personal, nation. 'Within limits, nation, purchase, sale, exchange, marriage contract, testament, inheritance, whatever, subject taxes, imposts charges higher than levied natives state. 'They likewise export sale goods general, subjected duties payable state.' See, e.g., Bacardi Corp. Domenech, 311 150, 163, 61 219, 225, 85 98; Jordan Tashiro, 278 123, 128—129, 49 47, 48—49, 73 214. Friendship, Commerce, Navigation, Between Argentine Confederation 1853, 1005, 1009, I Malloy 20. IX provides: whatever relates acquiring sort denomination, whatsoever, parties privileges, liberties, native Yugoslav-Polish 30 League Nations Series 185; Yugoslav-Czechoslovakian 455. Besides obvious relevance alone, III specifically contemplates interchange 'merchants, manufacturers, trades people' 'their clerks agents.' Factor Laubenheimer, 290 276, 294—295, 54 191, 196, 78 315. Negotiations dated Nov. 1850, printed Confidential Document 31st Cong., 2d Sess., Miller, Treaties Other Acts 861; D.S., Instructions, Argentina, 19—26, 219. relied was: 'Nationals High Contracting Party (349 265.) Law Regulate Payments Countries, Law, Gazette Federal People's Republic Oct. 25, 1946, Belgrade, 86, Year See note supra. S.Rep. 800, 81st 1st p. 4.

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