862.42/86
The Ambassador in Germany (Dodd) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 29.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that Herr Rust, the Reich Minister of Education, has announced a division of the school week in such a manner as to allot a definite time to the activities of the Hitler Youth and to the family of each scholar. To the former are set aside Saturday and the evening of Wednesday, to the latter Sundays. Saturday will be termed the “Staatsjugendtag,” or the State’s Day for the Youth.
It is quite probable that this action has been taken by the Minister in order to settle the conflicting claims of the family and the Hitler Youth. A letter of appreciation addressed to Minister Rust by the Evangelical League of Parents of the Reich tends to confirm this [Page 286] view. It appears that complaints have been made by parents that the Hitler Youth (including the B. D. M., the organization for girls) has been taking entirely too much of their children’s free time. The new arrangement should help to settle this problem. It may also have a more far-reaching effect. As the Hitler Youth can no longer encroach on the Sunday holiday, the fears of the Church should be lessened and a serious point of friction between the Roman Catholics and the Nazis disappear.
A further aspect of the “Staatsjugendtag” is its relation to young workmen who are members of the Hitler Youth. Baldur von Schi-rach, the Youth Leader, has pointed out that 80 per cent of the Hitler Youth is composed of young workmen. He proposes therefore to extend the Youth Day to these also. He confesses that it will occasion difficulties, but believes that many of the employers will consent. The latter will probably be obliged to do so, notwithstanding the loss that they will incur.
A second announcement by Minister Rust extends the long summer holiday by about four weeks. The other holidays will be correspondingly shortened. The teachers, however, will be compelled during this time to attend camps where they will devote themselves to study, sport, and National Socialism.
Respectfully yours,