862.00 P.R./204
Extract From Political Report of the Ambassador in Germany (Dodd)94
2. Interim Anti-Jewish Measures. It has been learned first hand from various sources that it is becoming practically impossible for Jews to obtain passports or have their expired passports renewed. This practice was instituted in Bavaria about a year ago, when the issuance of passports was still a matter for the separate states to handle, but in view of the fact that the latter function has now been taken over by the Reich Government, it would appear that the denial of passports to Jews is based upon a general order. In cases of extreme urgency or for business trips abroad, Jews are being granted travel documents the validity of which is limited to two or three weeks. As far as is known, Jews already in possession of valid passports are not being deprived of them but the present restriction means of course that Jews will be unable to renew their passports after the ordinary five year term of validity has expired.
While the exact reason for the new policy is not known, it has been suggested that the Government is aware that many German Jews have substantial accounts in foreign countries, and that while it may not be able to prove its suspicions, it is at least taking steps to prevent Jews from following their capital abroad and enjoying its use. (Incidentally the Berlin visa officer of a certain country has stated that he has been surprised to learn as the result of inquiry into the resources of prospective Jewish immigrants, how much money in foreign accounts many applicants have; as he has no precise knowledge of how they transferred their funds from Germany, although he assumes they did it illegally, he has not considered it his duty to report them to the German authorities.) Other suggested reasons for the denial of passports to Jews are first that the Government may desire to limit the emigration of elements who would certainly be hostile to Germany once they had left the country, and secondly that the refusal to Jews of ordinary Reich passports may be preliminary to the introduction of new travel documents which would recognize the division of the population into two classes of “citizens” created by the Nuremberg racial legislation of last year.
[Page 202]The owners of several large Jewish stores in Berlin who would ordinarily be prohibited from flying the national emblem received instructions from the Propaganda Ministry last month that they should participate in the ordered general display of flags. In view of the efforts made to render the city colorful during the Games the instruction is viewed as quite the reverse of a concession and it is no exaggeration to say that the Jewish population awaits with fear and trembling the termination of the Olympic period which has vouchsafed them a certain respite against molestation, although it may be doubted whether the National Socialists will be quite so foolish as to spoil the good impression upon foreign opinion made by the management of the Games by an immediate resumption of the more spectacular anti-Jewish activities.
- Transmitted to the Department by the Ambassador in Germany in his despatch No. 2994, August 19; received August 28.↩