862.4016/1665
The Ambassador in Germany (Dodd) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 4.]
Sir: Referring to the Embassy’s despatch No. 3419 of April 16, 1937,2 I have the honor to report that the renewed anti-Jewish drive noted therein has been advanced by the suppression throughout Germany of the organization known as the B’nai B’rith, which, as the Department may be aware, is the Jewish benevolent society corresponding roughly to the Catholic Knights of Columbus in the United States.
These steps were taken last Monday, April 19, by the Secret Police who visited the homes of various officers and workers of the Society in Berlin and after confiscating all documents and funds ordered them to report to the organization’s headquarters on the Kleiststrasse. There the investigation was continued and after the passports of all the [Page 320] Jews present had been taken up, the assembly consisting of some 200 persons was permitted to disperse in groups of 20, this procedure evidently being enforced with the idea of avoiding undue excitement or disturbance on the street. In Berlin the action of the police was carried out in orderly and courteous fashion in contrast it is understood to unpleasant experiences suffered by officers and members of the lodge in some of the provincial towns.
No formal charge appears to have been made against the Society but according to one Jewish authority the police gave the impression of being interested in uncovering possible infractions of the foreign exchange laws. This same authority stated that the funds confiscated in Berlin amounted in all to about RM 400,000. Unless some of this money is released in the near future it is foreseen that considerable hardship may be caused among the poorer members of the Jewish community as the Society has been active in promoting charity and welfare work.
It is now learned that the general ban upon meetings of Jews mentioned in the Embassy’s despatch referred to above, has been extended to apply to the foreign language courses attended by Jews who are anticipating emigrating from Germany. The so-called Umschulung training designed to fit Jews for agricultural avocations, principally in Palestine, has already been progressively restricted as the prospects for migration to that country have declined.
Incidentally the repressive measures of the Nazi authorities in what would appear to be their other favorite field of activity, namely, among the Catholic clergy, are being intensified. In addition to the high treason trial of the Rhineland youth leaders against whom the public prosecutor has demanded sentences varying from 15 to 5 years penal servitude (see Embassy’s despatch under reference), the State is apparently considering reopening the long series of foreign exchange and immorality cases against members of the Catholic orders. The Berliner Tageblatt of April 25 reports the conviction of two priests in provincial towns on homosexual charges.
Respectfully yours,
- Not printed.↩