862.4016/1735: Telegram
The Ambassador in Germany (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 16—9 a.m.]
307. Evidence is received that since the beginning of the week a fairly large scale series of arrests of Jews has been carried out in Berlin and, according to some reports, in other cities as well. It appears that those arrested are Jews whose names appear on the police records in connection with earlier investigations and offenses including those of the most minor kind presumably settled some time ago. No information is given concerning the number of arrests, the charges to be brought, or the disposition to be made of the prisoners, although it is understood that the latter are being submitted to physical [Page 377] examinations to determine possibly if they might be sent to concentration camps or be employed to perform forced manual labor.
Jewish leaders are of the opinion that this new wave of persecution which is being directed by the police instead of as formerly by the uniformed party groups can only be intended to encourage emigration. In this latter connection attention is called to a German press report of last week that at the present rate of emigration 30 years would be required before the last Jew had left Germany.