Legal Document

331 U.S. 503 67 Supreme Court Reporter 1431 91 L.Ed. 1633 CLARKv.ALLEN et al. Number 626. Argued April 11, 1947. Decided June 9, [Syllabus from pages 503-505 intentionally omitted] Harry Leroy Jones, of Washington, D.C., for petitioner. S. C. Masterson, Richmond, Cal., respondents. Everett W. Mattoon, Los Angeles, the State California, as amicus curiae by special leave Court. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered opinion 1 Alvina Wagner, a resident died in 1942, leaving real and personl property situate there. By will dated December 23, 1941, admitted to probate California court she bequeathed her entire estate four relatives who are nationals residents Germany. Six heirs-at-law, filed petition determination heirship proceedings claiming that German were ineligible legatees under law.1 2 There has never been hearing on petition. For 1943 Alien Property Custodian, whose functions Attorney General recently succeeded,2 vested himself all right, title interest this decedent.3 He thereupon instituted action District against executor heirs-at-law they have no he was entitled net estate, after payment administration other expenses. The granted judgment Custodian pleadings. Crowley versus Allen, 52 F.Supp. 850. Circuit Appeals reversed holding without jurisdiction subject matter. Allen Markham, 9 Cir., 147 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 136. case came here certiorari. We held had suit remanded cause consideration merits. Markham 326 490, 66 296, 90 256. 156 653. is again writ certiorari which we becuase issues raised national importance. 3 First. Our problem starts with Treaty Friendship, Commerce Consular Rights Germany, signed 8, 1923, proclaimed October 14, 1925. 44 Statutes-at-Large 2132. It different provisons governing testamentary disposition realty personalty, treat separately. one pertaining realty, contained Article IV, reads follows: 'Where, death any person or immovable interests therein within territories High Contracting Party, such wuld, th e laws country disposition, descend pass whether non-resident, not disqualified where situated, shall be allowed term three years sell same, reasonably prolonged if circumstances render it necessary, withdraw proceeds thereof, restraint interference, exempt succession, administrative duties charges than those may imposed like cases upon drawn.' 4 rights secured terms right specified time plus an exemption discriminatory taxation. plain extend heirs 'any person' United States. And though expressed ownership inherit, their import meaning. Techt Hughes, 229 N.Y. 222, 240, 128 Northeastern KF135 N59 185, 191, 11 American Law Reports 166; Ahrens Ahrens, 144 Iowa, 486, 489, 123 Northwestern N69 164, 166, Ann.Cas.1912A, 1098. see People ex rel. Atty. Gen. Gerke, 5 Rptr. (West’s) 381; Scharpf Schmidt, 172 Ill. 255, 50 182; Colson Carlson, 116 Kan. 593, 227 Pacific P2 360; Goos Brocks, 117 Neb. 750, 223 13. If, therefore, provisions treaty superseded abrogated prevail over requirements law conflict them. Hauenstein Lynham, 100 483, 488—490, 25 628. 6 Second. concluded these abrogated. relied conclusion Trading Enemy Act, 40 411, U.S.C.App. § seq., U.S.C.A.Appendix, amended First War Powers 55 839, U.S.C.App.Supp. 1, 5, Berlin, 42 Stat.1939. 7 start premise outbreak war does necessarily suspend abrogate provisions. Society Propagation Gospel Foreign Parts Town New Haven, 8 Wheat. 464, 494, 495, 662. course incompatibility between particular provision maintenance state make clear should enforced. Karnuth States, 279 231, 49 274, 73 677. Or Chief Executive Congress formulated policy quite inconsistent enforcement whole part. This view stated supra, believe correct one. That concerned alien enemy inherit York. Under York law, then stood, right. question reciprocal inheritance Austria conched practically identical here. found nothing incompatible permitting treaty. Cardozo, J., speaking court, applicable principles 'The what states do supervened, breach duty members society nations. courts presume done. * President Senate denounce treaty, thus terminate its life. enact rule, control (Fong Yue Ting 149 698, 13 1016, 37 905). peace itself set up new relations, earlier compacts, either tacitly expressly. But until some things done, events occurs, while still lagrant, nd political departments government unrevealed, courts, & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions function, play humbler more cautious them treaties generally, en bloc. Their part is, another involved actual controversy before them, determine whether, alone, force connection inseparable scheme, safety nation emergency war, hence presumably intended limited times peace. mere fact portions suspended, even abrogated, conclusive. fall entirety unless character indivisible act.' at 242—243, page 192, 166. To same effect supra; Reardon, 120 614, 245 158, 47 452.4 think amended, aliens IV true since declaration 796, States Code Annotated KF65 U5 note preceding section Act Lenoir, Effect prohibited entry into country,5 outlawed communications transactions commercial them,6 precluded removal money use account.7 assume parts dealing liquidation withdrawal proceeds, provides activities licensed.8 Orders evince hostility enemies imply acquisition conflicts policy. indeed, tacit recognition compatible scheme Act. custodian expressly empowered represent heir legal proceedings, including incident succession.9 Much reliance contrary placed power vest agency States.10 vest, i.e., take away, owned acquired reveal odds discretionary mandatory. loss vesting inevitable. important, deprive benefits his inheritance. If owes creditors, applied debts.11 10 give respondents urge would, prove too much. restricted enemies. extends foreign country, friend enemy.12 Provisions comprable present existing friendly nations.13 readily asume when enacted 5(b) authorized property, purpose clauses. Cf. Cook 288 102, 120, 53 305, 311, 77 641. Yet enemy, difficult why less so involved. Finally, there distinction thereof recognizes. only grants vest; likewise him authority 'prevent prohibit, interest.' 5(b)(1)(B). No taken prevent prohibit aliens. grant express cut off, inter alia, non-exercise lend support did squares general rule 237, 276, 677, 'giving citizens subjects high contracting powers continue hold transmit land territory other' survive war. argument based Berlin inconclusive. Joint Resolution July 2, 1921, 105, 106, declared retained made it, except specifically provided suitable satisfaction claims it. Thus absolute became Cummings Deutsche Bank, 300 115, 57 359, 81 545. accorded advantages resolution. 1828 Prussia substantially similar 378, 384, art. XIV. Hence argued survived guaranteed way during would necessary negotiated convention covering ground 1923. also unlikely parties intend later effect. 12 attitude Department varied. In 1918 Secretary Lansing Germany Austria.14 Today apparently takes view.15 reliable evidence intention outside words conduct treaties, reflecting numerous contingencies conditions, sure guide construction Where relevant historical source i nstrument indication become inoperative left determine, indicates, asserted So far concerned, find policy, reasons already given. argued, however, 1923 must failed result defeat occupation Allies, ceased exist independent international community. position perform obligations essentially question. Terlinden Ames, 184 270, 288, 22 484, 491, 46 534. considered collapse surrender putting end obligation party respect Allied Control Counsel has, assumed Germany's affairs obligations16—a wholly consistent enforcement, rather repudiation, pre-existing treaties. 16 Axis Defeat, Dept. Pub. 2423, Pages 71, 72, 77. 14 Third. personalty raises distinct questions. contains following it: 'Nationals Party full dispose personal every kind other, testament, donation, otherwise, heirs, donees, whatsoever nationality, succeed possession themselves others acting retain pleasure belong liable pay cases.' 15 A 1844 Wurttemburg, III, 588, 590, Frederickson Louisiana, 23 How. 445, 577. testator citizen being Wurttemberg. domiciled, levied succession tax per cent comiciled cover 'case respective countries residing home, disposing favor *' 447, 448. decision 1860. 1917 followed involving Petersen 170, 38 109, 62 225; Duus Brown, 176, 111, 228; Skarderud Tax Commission, 633, 133, 522. adopted say least, permissible syntax sentences considered. includes person'; covered parties. governs 'nationals' contractig 'other' party; 'such property' 'heirs, donees' take. 17 Petitioner, presents detailed account history clause bears out thereof. stop review history. judicial language 1860 given treaty-making agencies seen fit alter. entirely therefore deem appropriate change late date, original matter might much commend 18 accordingly located undertakes nationals. know record nationality Wagner. issue arises Government's motion pleadings, proceed assumption favorable viz., citizen. 19 Fourth. inapplicable, disposed pursuant statute because unconstitutional. Issues Fourteenth Amendment Terrace Thompson, 263 197, 15, 68 255. challenge extension field affairs, exclusively reserved Constitution Government. non-resident dependent existence conditions nation.17 method seeks promite abroad offering California. Such offer arrangements said settlement Government nation-wide basis. 20 Blythe Hinckley, 180 333, 21 390, 45 557, unqualified borders. claimant Great Britain whom providing country. was, absence forbidden affairs. rejected extraordinary objection equally fetched. determined local law. See Lyeth Hoey, 305 188, 193, 59 155, 83 119, 119 410; Irving Trust company Day, 314 556, 562, 398, 401, 86 1734, 137 1093. Those affected overriding federal makes conflicting arrangements. lynham, supra. Then way. Hines Davidowitz, 312 52, 61 399, 85 581. property. Nor entered domain negotiating Curtiss-Wright Export Corp., 299 304, 316, 317, 216, 219, making compact prohibition I, Section Constitution. What done wil incidental indirect countries. many none claim cross line. summary, governed Disposition Wagner national. citizen, Whether bar intimate opinion. affirmed part, conformity 24 ordered. Affirmed 26 RUTLEDGE (concurring part). 27 join Court's insofar relates estate. But, Wagner's expression constitutionality statute. 28 now issue, virtue hypothesizing rendered both moot advisory found, well further consistently declined decide constitutional questions hypothetical presentations. Rescue Army Municipal Court, 549, 1409. practice case, conceivably appeal saved indulging presumption makes. important decisions calling squarely inescapably presented, factually legally, expedite termination litigation procedural convenience 259, Probate Code, 1942 provided: each ditizens inhabitants receive originating estates persons dying countries.' 259.2 'If eligible escheated property.' condition receipt moneys repealed 1945, pending. Cal.Stats.1945, chapter 1160, effective September 1945. act, burden establishing rights. 259.1. 1945 amendment non-existence challenged repealed. Order 9788, Oct. 1946, note, Fed.Reg. 11981. Vesting 762, 1252. recent authorities Lenior, Bilateral Treaties, 34 Geo.L.J. 129. 3(b). 3(a). 7(c); 5(b), amended; 8785, 95a C.F.R.Cum.Supp. 948. 5(a). 9193, Par. 1174, 1176. 5(b)(1), part: 'During period when, as, terms, directed President, disignated prescribe held, used, administered, liquidated, sold, otherwise dealt benefit designated acts accomplishment furtherance purposes *.' Pul.L.o.671, 79t h Cong., 2d Sess., adding 34. 10, Britain, arts, II, March 1899, 31 1939. Norway, 1928, 2135, 2138. Rel.; Supp. Page 309 (Dept. 1933); VI Hackworth, Digest International (1943) 327. Letter Acting State, Joseph Grew, May 21, commenting litigation.

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