Alien Property Custodian - Sale of Property - Tobacco for Austria confiscated by U.S. Nearly four and a half million pounds of tobacco, purchased by Austria before the break in friendly relations, was confiscated by the U.S. Gov. and sold at public auction. The sale was held at the old tobacco exchange at Richmond, VA. The photograph shows prospective buyers on the scene of the sale. This is the first public sale of enemy property by the Alien Property Custodian, May 20, 1918. International Film Service