123 Dodd, William E./213: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 13—11:10 a.m.]
12. The Chief of the American Section of the Foreign Office asked me to come to see him yesterday and showed me a number of press [Page 384] clippings, chiefly from the London Times, carrying accounts of statements adverse to Germany made by Ambassador Dodd upon his return to the United States.
Freytag said that in view of Mr. Dodd’s position these press accounts were very distressing to the Foreign Office. He stated that while the German Government was not making any formal protest the Foreign Minister nevertheless wished Washington to know how he felt about the matter and that he hoped the American authorities could see their way clear to prevent if possible by some means Mr. Dodd employing his official stay in Germany as a basis for attacks on Germany in any speeches or publications which he might have in prospect.
I feel it also incumbent upon me to report that certain prominent Germans here have in view of these press accounts expressed to me privately their apprehensions that remarks critical of the regime which they had made to Mr. Dodd might, in some manner through inadvertence, be repeated or referred to by him which might result in subjecting them to serious difficulties.
I am sure that the Department will appreciate that the transmission of the foregoing is to me personally a most unwelcome but at the same time in my view an inescapable duty.