862.4016/1554

The Ambassador in Germany ( Dodd ) to the Secretary of State

[Extract]
No. 2322

Sir: With reference to the Embassy’s telegram No. 172 of September 16, 11 a.m.,51 I have the honor to transmit herewith two copies of [Page 406] the Reichsgesetzblatt, No. 100, Part I, of September-16, containing the three laws adopted by the Reichstag at Nuremberg on September 15 regarding respectively the change in the national emblem,52 Reich citizenship, and the prohibition of marriages between Germans and Jews. English translations are likewise enclosed.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Respectfully yours,

William E. Dodd
[Enclosure 1—Translation]

Reich Citizens Law of September 15, 1935

The Reichstag has unanimously resolved upon the following law, which is promulgated herewith:

Section 1

(1)
A national is anyone who is a member of the protective community of the German Reich (Schutzverband) and in return therefor is under special obligations to it.
(2)
Nationality is acquired according to the provisions of the Reich and State Citizenship Law.

Section 2

(1)
Only a national of German or related blood who proves by his conduct that he is willing and fit to serve the German people and Reich faithfully is a Reich citizen.
(2)
The right of Reich citizenship is acquired by the bestowal of a Reich certificate of citizenship.
(3)
A Reich citizen is the sole holder of full political rights under the laws.

Section 3

The Reich Minister of the Interior in agreement with the representative of the Führer will issue the legal and administrative regulations necessary for the enforcement and amendment of the law.

Nüremberg, September 15, 1935,

At the Reich Party Congress of Freedom.

The Führer and Reich Chancellor
Adolf Hitler

The Reich Minister of the Interior
Frick
[Page 407]
[Enclosure 2–Translation]

Law for the Protection of German Blood and German Honor September 15, 1935

Imbued with the knowledge that the purity of the German blood is the prerequisite for the continuance of the German people, arid inspired by the unbending determination to guarantee the German nation for all time, the Reichstag has unanimously resolved upon the following law, which is promulgated herewith:

Section 1

(1)
Marriages between Jews and nationals of German or related blood are forbidden. Marriages contracted in spite of this fact are invalid, even if they were contracted abroad in order to evade this law.
(2)
A nullifying action can only be brought by the State’s Attorney.

Section 2

Extra-marital relations between Jews and nationals of German or related blood are forbidden.

Section 3

Jews are not allowed to employ in their households female nationals of German or related blood under 45 years of age.

Section 4

(1)
Jews are forbidden to hoist the Reich national flag arid to display the Reich colors.
(2)
On the other hand, they are allowed to display the Jewish colors. The exercise of this right is under state protection.

Section 5

(1)
Anyone acting in contravention of the prohibition in Section 1 will be punished with penal servitude.
(2)
Any man acting in contravention of the prohibition in Section 2 will be punished with imprisonment or penal servitude.
(3)
Anyone acting in contravention of the provisions in Section 3 or 4 will be punished with imprisonment up to one year and a fine/or with one of these penalties.

Section 6

The Reich Minister of the Interior in agreement with the representative of the Fuhrer will issue the legal and administrative regulations necessary for the enforcement and amendment of the law

[Page 408]

Section 7

The law goes into effect the day after its promulgation; Section 3, however, not until January 1, 1936.

Nuremberg, September 15, 1935,

At the Reich Party Congress of Freedom.

The Führer and Reich Chancellor
Adolf Hitler

The Reich Minister of the Interior
Frick

The Reich Minister of Justice
Dr. Gürtner

The Deputy of the Führer
R. Hess

Reich Minister Without Portfolio
  1. Not printed.
  2. Law regarding change in the national emblem not printed.