862.4016/1627
The Consul General at Berlin (Jenkins) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 9.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that persons of the Jewish race, within the meaning of the Nuremberg laws, have now been excluded as a class from all commerce or trading in eggs; this is important inasmuch as it is the first case that has come to this office’s attention in which Jews have been completely eliminated throughout all of Germany from participation in purely commercial enterprise.
Jews have, of course, been hindered in carrying out many business activities, and have through pressure, either directly or indirectly, been forced out of their individual businesses, or carried on but under restrictions. It is also of record that they have been locally prevented from continuing certain lines of business in various parts of the country; an example of this is cattle dealing.
As a class, they have again been prevented from entering certain professions, such as that of doctor, or lawyer, or from freely pursuing occupations having to do with the culture of the people, such as that of actor and writer.
It is believed, however, that the present exclusion of Jews from the whole of a purely commercial branch constitutes a precedent and [Page 201] augurs extension of the fields from which those Jews now resident in Germany may be restricted from engaging to earn their living.
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Respectfully yours,