862.4016/35: Telegram
The Ambassador in Germany (Sackett) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 11—10:35 a.m.]
33. Previous to the receipt of your 15, March 3, I had already conferred on the morning of March 3 with the Minister for Foreign Affairs concerning similar rumors long current here, in particular with regard to the fear of certain American correspondents in Berlin as to their treatment under the existing conditions. I stated that the mistreatment of Jews in Germany would have a disastrous effect in America and in molding world public opinion. I found my British colleague had made similar representations.
At the time the Foreign Minister told me as he also told the British Ambassador that the Government appreciated this but had the situation well in hand though election excitement had encouraged some difficulties and that there was no danger of pogroms or anti-Jewish discrimination in so far as foreigners were concerned. I, therefore, did not feel it necessary to make further representations after receipt of telegram under reference. However, as the Department was informed in my 31, March 8, there have been sporadic cases of assaults and indignities inflicted upon American citizens largely persons of obvious Jewish origin for alleged anti-Nazi leanings.
Furthermore, as pointed out in my 32, March 10,97 demonstrations of anti-Jewish character have since the election been common throughout Germany. These manifestations are obviously of serious concern to the Government. This concern together with the complaints made by this Embassy and other foreign missions as well as last night’s speech of a subversive character by Goering has resulted in Hitler in his capacity as leader of the Nazi party issuing in this morning’s papers an order calling upon his followers to maintain law and order, to avoid molesting foreigners, disrupting trade, and to avoid the creation of possibly embarrassing international incidents. This order, as is believed in view of the good discipline generally obtaining with the Nazi ranks, should bring about a cessation of the anti-Jewish demonstrations.
- Not printed.↩