862.00 P.R./175
The Ambassador in Germany (Dodd) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 10.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that since the writing of the Embassy’s last Fortnightly Report, despatch No. 1916 of April 9, 1935,9 [Page 264] German internal policy has veered sharply toward an extreme National Socialist position.
The various events which have borne witness to this tendency and have been discussed in separate reports, may be briefly mentioned as follows: Herr Lutze’s10 claims with respect to the rights of the S. A. (despatch No. 1939 of April 24, 193511), Dr. Frick’s forecast of the forthcoming citizenship law (despatch No. 1952 of April 30, 193512), the recrudescence of the national neo-pagan movement and the severity of measures against Church pastors (despatch No. 1953 of April 30, 193511), and finally, the new drastic press ordinances (despatch No. 1955 of May 2, 1935). The papers have also been preparing the public for a new anti-Jewish wave which will undoubtedly be the popular complement to the drive already begun by the government in various specific measures against the Jews which have recently been reported on.
It appears now that a new advance of Nazi ideology was decided upon in the Gauleiter’s meeting held in Munich in the middle of the month. So far, however, a number of these new policies have remained in the spoken word and have not yet been put into execution, which raises the question as to whether they will ultimately be applied in quite so radical form as they were proposed. This observation may be held to apply to Herr Lutze’s statements with respect to the S. A.’s right to recruit youths before their entry into the army, and Herr Frick’s precepts on citizenship. One factor deterring the immediate application of a Nazi policy à l’outrance, particularly with respect to an early and complete eradication of the Jews from German life which is said to have been decided upon, appears to be the fear of internal and external repercussions during the period of prevailing international uncertainty. Another factor, however, may be the difficulty of molding internal policy to any set frame before a decision is taken respecting the manner of application of the conscription law. This hypothesis receives support from the understanding that in the interval preceding the announcement of the regulations discussions are in progress with the various Party and State organizations as to the various ways in which they will be affected. A certain finality seems to await upon the setting in motion of the conscription machinery and after this has taken place and its repercussions in other fields become evident, possibly the course of internal policy for a more indefinite future may be easier to discern.
[Page 265]In accordance with the Attachéd list, various topics not treated in individual reports are discussed in separate sections transmitted as annexes.13
Respectfully yours,
First Secretary of Embassy