362.115/331: Telegram
The Ambassador in Germany (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 16—2:30 p.m.]
626. The note referred to in my telegram 619, November 15, 4 p.m., was personally handed by an officer of the Embassy to the appropriate official at the Foreign Office. In the conversation which ensued statements were made by the Foreign Office official concerned on the following three points:
- 1.
- American Jews residing in Germany are not required to make contributions to the billion mark indemnity imposed upon the Jewish community.
- 2.
- The German decree releasing insurance companies from indemnifying Jewish owners for damages to their property in the recent riots does not apply to foreign holders of policies in Germany.
- 3.
- The German decree forbidding Jews to engage in retail and export trade after January 1, 1939 is still undefined as to its application to foreign Jews doing business in Germany.
While points 1 and 2 above cannot be construed as a formal response to our representation in the premises they are nevertheless in line with the decrees themselves and it is believed that these assurances can be counted on. The question raised under point 3 above is being further pursued by the Embassy.