362.115/332: Telegram (part air)
The Ambassador in Germany (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 17—6:59 a.m.]
621. With regard to the applicability to foreign Jews of Goering’s60 three decrees published in the press November 13, the following may to noted:
- (a)
- The first decree limits the scope of the 1 billion mark levy to “Jews German nationality in their entirety”.
- (b)
- Referring to the damages resulting from the recent demonstrations the second decree states “the costs of repairs must be borne by the owners of the Jewish business houses and dwellings. Insurance claims of Jews of German nationality will be confiscated in favor of the Reich.”
- (c)
- The third decree prohibiting Jews from operating retail stores and other business activities is drafted to apply to Jews as defined by the Nuremberg laws and to “Jewish undertakings” as defined by the decree of June 14, 1938, (Embassy’s despatch 197, June 23, 193861).
In an interview with Young of Reuter’s on Saturday, Goebbels is quoted by this morning’s German press as having answered in reply to the question whether the new laws apply also to British, American and other foreign Jews “British, American and other foreign Jews are to us members of the British, American or other nationalities. Whether or not they are Britishers is not incumbent on us but on the British people themselves to decide. Therefore we cannot apply these laws to Jews of other nationalities. To us they are foreigners.”
The account of the interview also added that “the measures against the Jews will of course not be applied to foreign capital and foreign undertakings in Germany.”
Repeated to London for Rublee.