362.1121 Hirsch, Helmut/46: Telegram
The Ambassador in Germany (Dodd) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 1—9:10 a.m.]
123. Referring to my telegram No. 120, May 29, 6 p.m. and 21 [121], May 31, 11 a. m.9 An interview yesterday with von Neurath10 revealed the fixed purpose of Hitler to execute Hirsch in a day or two and to publish evidence afterwards. I reminded him that Hirsch was an American citizen and that public opinion would be affronted by an execution of one who had not been caught actually endeavoring to commit the crime charged; and I emphasized the wisdom of published evidence before conviction and of moderate treatment of a 20 year old fellow who had not performed the act that was charged. I stressed the fact that our State Department had kept the press quiet for a month and that the press people here had also reported none of the conflicting stories which had come to them from Praha. Neurath said there was no hope even though it involved German-American relations but he promised to report my conversation to the Chancellor to whom I had made appeal on April 30th. There is a possibility of a few days delay.