Renewed request by Schloss family attorney for the restitution of the family's property

Max Gonfreville renewed a request, on behalf of the Schloss heirs, for the immediate return of the 49 paintings acquired by the Direction des Musées Nationaux. Gonfreville reiterated the futility of waiting for an ordinance that would cancel liquidation operations carried out under the racial laws of the Vichy Government. It is undeniable that the Direction des Musées Nationaux acquired part of the collection for Frs. 18,895,000 but that this sale should not be considered as final, since the amount was never paid. The Direction des Musées Nationaux should be considered as the “holder” of the paintings belonging to the Schloss heirs and therefore subject to the dispositions of the ordinance of November 14, 1944.             It suffices to refer to the principles formulated by the ordinance of November 12, 1943 on the nullity of acts of spoliation committed by the enemy or under his control. Mrs. Delaroche-Vernet informed Gonfreville that the paintings were in the Château de Sourches in St. Symphorien (Sarthe).