611.6212/9
Memorandum by the Secretary of State of a Conversation With the German Chargé (Leitner)
The Chargé d’Affaires of the German Embassy called and presented a copy of an address by Samuel Untermyer published in the New York Times of August seventh, in which he was strongly urging a boycott against German commerce on account of the Jewish situation in Germany and the alleged mistreatment of Jews there with the knowledge, at least, and without objection, by German officials. He protested very earnestly against this sort of boycott against the German people and German commerce. I questioned him, in reply, to tell me how the matter ought to be treated. I then proceeded, personally and unofficially, to recite to him the alleged mistreatment of Jews in Germany and the terrific demand of Jews and other leaders in this country for some action, or utterance at least, by the American Government, properly characterizing such conduct. I stated that the best remedy would be for the German people or the German Government or both to conclude as quickly as possible whatever may be their activities relating to assaults upon or mistreatment of Jews in Germany; that this would enable us to make suitable appeals to discontinue the boycott.