860C.4016/489

The Secretary of State to Dr. Stephen S. Wise, President of the American Jewish Congress

My Dear Dr. Wise: With reference to the communication which you left with me on July 12, 1937,49 when you called with other members of a Committee from the American Jewish Congress for the purpose of making a declaration with regard to the situation of the Jews of Poland, I desire again to assure you that this Government has a sympathetic understanding of the natural concern of American Jews in matters affecting the Jewish population in other countries.

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With full appreciation of your solicitude in the situation which is set forth in your letter I have most carefully considered the entire question but I still do not find that that situation affords a basis on which this Government can properly make representations to the Government of Poland. In this field our duty is to offer full and effective protection to American citizens and direct American interests and I fear that any deviation from this policy could not be other than prejudicial.

I am forwarding a copy of your letter to our Ambassador at Warsaw for his information.52

Sincerely yours,

Cordell Hull
  1. Not printed.
  2. Sent with instruction No. 22, July 27, not printed.