Archive Report
Archive Report
Treatment of Enemy Property in Wartime
Enemy property in the United States now in possession of the United States government approximates half a billion dollars. Most of this property was brought under a single, unified control by an executive order, June 8, which directed that frozen assets of German and Japanese nationals be “vested” by the Alien Property Custodian. President Truman's concentration order was regarded as the forerunner of a recommendation to Congress that enemy assets in the United States be used to compensate American citizens, so far as possible, for losses and damage to their property outside the United States at the hands of the Axis.
The final word on ultimate disposition of enemy property seized during the war rests with Congress. Knotty problems that ...