862.4016/1457
The Ambassador in Germany ( Dodd ) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 28.]
Sir: Against the background of the recent intensification of anti-Jewish measures described in previous despatches from the Embassy, I have the honor to report the following subsequent developments.
Series of Articles Appearing in the “Völkischer Beobachter”
The Völkischer Beobachter has just published a series of three articles under the title of “The Liquidation of the German Jewish Question.” It is stated that these articles are based on material published in greater detail by the Hearst Press in the United States. They seem to be somewhat confused in their purpose for, while they urge that Palestine is the only possible place of immigration for the [Page 397] Jews, they do not paint a picture of conditions in that country likely to stimulate a large scale transfer. The articles nevertheless are of interest as disclosing, in passing, information concerning the emigration from Germany.
Official acknowledgement is made for the first time of the number of Jews leaving the Reich since the Nazis came to power, it being stated that the Berlin Secret Police estimates the number to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 90,000; in addition to this there were 20,000 non-Jewish political émigrés. The Economics Ministry is quoted as stating that the flight of Jewish capital abroad during the last two years amounted to 400,000,000 marks, most of this being transferred by illegal means. On the other hand, in the beginning of 1934, arrangements were made whereby emigrants could legally transfer sums abroad up to the amount of 20,000 marks after the payment of the regular tax on property of people departing from the Reich (Reichsfluchtsteuer). During 1934, the amounts transferred averaged between 5 and 7 million marks per month. The seriousness of Germany’s foreign exchange situation, however, made a sharp restriction necessary and therefore since the fall of last year, persons emigrating to countries other than Palestine receive no more exchange permits but must resort to a regular clearing procedure. If they export German products they are allowed to keep 25 per cent of the resulting foreign exchange and are credited with the balance in a blocked mark account.
Discussing the question of how many Jews still remain in Germany, the Völkischer Beobachter rejects assertions by the Jewish leaders that there are now only 400,000. It refers to an estimate made in 1927 which put the figure at 615,000, and calculates that with the loss through emigration and a surplus of deaths over births of 7,000 per year, the present number can in no case be less than 500,000.
The Völkischer Beobachter then discusses a fact that has been known for some time, namely, that Jewish émigrés returning to Germany are put into “education camps” (see Embassy’s despatch No. 1893 of April 1, 1935). Ten thousand Jews have recently attempted to return to the Reich, it is stated, and since January 28 of this year they have all been interned. The Schwarze Korps, the official paper of the S. S., states with considerably less delicacy, that the returned prodigals “are not allowed to move about freely as in the glorious days before January 30, 1933, but are placed in a concentration camp where they are made familiar with the fact that things have greatly changed in Germany to-day.”
According to a Swiss paper, Jews with means are put into a sort of “first class” concentration camp where, for the payment of 5 marks per day, they receive comfortable beds and palatable food. Those [Page 398] without means are interned in the ordinary camps, being forced to consort, says this Swiss paper, with “homosexuals, other Jews, and Protestant pastors, and are given hard labor to perform.”
Meeting in Nuremberg of the Anti-Jewish World League
What is described as the first German meeting of the Anti-Jewish World League (Antijüdische Weltliga) was held in Nuremberg May 10, the principal speakers being the famous Julius Streicher and his French guest, Jean Boissel, mentioned as a severely wounded front fighter and a well-known Parisian writer. Streicher emphasizing Germany’s will to peace, and Boissel, Germany’s right to be a mighty and independent nation, both agreed that the element which caused the war and now stood in the way of an understanding between the two countries was the eternal Jew.
Moseley’s Telegram to Streicher
The German papers give prominent place to the following congratulatory telegram from Sir Oswald Moseley45 to Herr Streicher:
“Dear Herr Streicher. Thank you for your telegram concerning my speech in Leicester which reached me in London. I appreciate your message particularly while we are in the midst of our hard fight. The power of Jewish corruption must be overcome in all great nations before Europe’s future can be based upon justice and peace. Our fight is hard but our victory is certain. I thank you. Sincerely Moseley.”
Reports Concerning Streicher’s Installation in Berlin
Reports have recently been current that Streicher is to be named Police President of Berlin to succeed Vice Admiral von Levetzow, who it is said will shortly take a sea command, and that Streicher will also be appointed Gauleiter of Berlin to replace Goebbels, in order to leave the latter free to devote his entire time to the arduous duties of Propaganda Minister. While the mere persistence of the rumor may be accepted as evidence of the popular belief that the persecution will not be relaxed, the only information it has been possible to obtain is that of denial in party circles.
Instances of Persecution and Discrimination Against the Jews
As the anti-Jewish campaign proceeds with official encouragement, it is only natural that, as is being continually reported by our consulates in various German cities, the instances of persecution should multiply in acts of personal humiliation of the Jews, press attacks against individuals, appeals to boycott Jewish stores, the changing of [Page 399] Jewish-named streets, and so forth. The Westdeutscher Beobachter in Cologne has started a feature of publishing each day a picture of a man coming out of a Jewish shop, to which the caption is given, “Do you know this traitor?” A more or less direct form of boycott is gaining strength in a revival of the use of the label “Deutsches Geschäft” which may be shown only in non-Jewish stores, this practice now finding its way into the Saar, where Jews are supposed to be free from discrimination for a year’s time. Frankfurt courts in several recent cases have upheld the summary dismissal of Jewish employees on the sole ground that this was necessary to maintain the right to display the sign.
The Consul General in Frankfurt has submitted a summary, enclosed as of possible interest,46 prepared by the National Society of Baptized Jews, showing the professions and callings barred to non-Aryan Germans. It will be seen that the disqualifications extend over practically the whole field of German life. With respect to the new situation it appears that even the former Jewish front fighters, who are theoretically exempted from the ban, are being forced to undergo a restriction of their activity. In Berlin, for instance, an order has just been issued enjoining all Jewish professors and teachers from giving instruction in history, politics, art or literature, or in any subject which may influence the philosophical outlook of their students; as a result, the Jewish teachers may only instruct Aryans in the exact sciences such as mathematics, geography, etc. Reich Commissioner of Justice Franck, who is in charge of the various projects now being carried out for legal reform, has lately pronounced himself in favor of the eventual elimination of all former Jewish front fighter lawyers, thus indicating that such a step may not be far distant.
On the other side of the picture, however, there are instances to show that Jews are not interfered with when it appears to be against the high interests of business or the State. The case is reported from Frankfurt, of Dr. Carl Weinberg, a member of the Board of Control of the powerful I. G. Farben Industrie, who was recently invited by the Reich Government to a conference of business men in Berlin; it is stated that Dr. Weinberg hesitated to attend, suggesting that the invitation might have been a mistake; he was told that it was no mistake, and was greeted cordially and was given to understand that his Jewish blood in no way affected his business relations. This case is interesting not only as an illustration of official attitude in such exceptional junctures but also of the sense of inferiority felt even by highly-placed Jews as a result of the measures adopted generally against their race.
[Page 400]Another instance of semi-tolerance is reported by the Consul General of Stuttgart who states that non-Aryan doctors in Mannheim have been requested to hold themselves in readiness to assist in the examination of recruits who will be called up under conscription. These exceptional cases of favorable treatment to Jews who are so placed as to make themselves useful to the Government, do not go very far, however, in relieving the sombre outlook for the Jews as a whole in Germany.
Factions Within the German Jewish Community
Curiously enough, the intensification of the anti-Semitic movement seems to have caused an accentuation of the difference between the two following lines of thought held by Jewish leaders: that of what seems to be a majority, who regard the continued existence of the Jews in Germany as hopeless and who are reconciled to eventual emigration; and that of a small group consisting mostly of former front fighters under the leadership of a certain Dr. Naumann, who seek to gain a recognition of their services to their Fatherland and on this basis be treated as Germans rather than Jews.
A majority of the Jewish community in Germany, it is said, favor the former view, particularly families who see no prospect of their children being permitted to enter professions or of obtaining employment in Germany. Under these circumstances, emigration is considered as the only course and it is understood that one plan looking toward a complete evacuation of the Jews within 25 years is under consideration. The project is considered feasible if the Government, in conformity with its announced intention of ridding itself of the Jews, will assist in its execution. Favorable indications of possible government support are seen in present measures to facilitate emigration to Palestine, and in the Government’s permitting instruction to be given to young Jews in various trades and in agriculture in order to fit them for emigration to Palestine (see despatch No. 1893 of April 1, 1935).
On the other hand, the Naumann group of former Jewish front fighters are evidently determined to remain in Germany and contend for full citizenship rights. In addition to this group, a number of Jews who still have means or steady employment and whose position is not intolerable also apparently desire to stay on the chance that the anti-Jewish wave will eventually blow over. The former front fighters under Naumann have been active in pressing their claim to be considered loyal Germans, going so far as to send congratulatory telegrams to the Führer on various national occasions. Each time their advances have been met with distinct coolness or even antagonism and the National Socialist press has poured down abuses upon [Page 401] their heads for acting in an undignified and sycophantic manner. While it is admitted in some sections of the press that certain Jews may have performed services for the Fatherland, it is always emphasized that Jews are something foreign to the German people and accordingly must hold themselves apart. Each new rebuff must undoubtedly lose Naumann many followers in the Jewish community.
Respectfully yours,