862.4016/1620
The Ambassador in Germany (Dodd) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 14.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Embassy’s despatch No. 2626, dated January 27, 1936, and the Department’s telegraphic reply No. 13 of February 15, 1:00 p.m., relative to the inquiry made by the British Embassy in Berlin as to the possibility of collective action [Page 200] on the part of the various missions here in pressing claims for compensation on behalf of their nationals affected by the recent German anti-Semitic laws. Reference is also made to the Department’s instruction No. 546 of January 21, 1936 (file No. 862.4016/1580), on the general policy of the protection of the rights of American nationals.
Following the Department’s suggestion in the last paragraph of the telegram referred to, the attitude of our government was discussed informally with the British Embassy. It was pointed out that while we did not feel that collective action would be practicable for the reasons outlined by the Department, we believed it most desirable to keep in touch with other missions in the exchange of information with regard to the means found to be most effective in protecting the interests of foreign Jews in Germany.
We were informed at the end of the interview that from the tenor of the replies to the British memorandum received from other missions on the subject, other governments were of a mind similar to ours and it was felt that collective action at this point seemed impracticable.
Respectfully yours,