362.115/339: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8 p.m.]
650. Reference Embassy’s 621, November 15, 7 p.m., paragraph a; and 626, November 16, 6 p.m., paragraph 1.
The Reichsgesetzblatt published this noon an executive order dated November 21 implementing Goering’s decree of November 12 imposing on German Jews a 1 billion mark fine. It is stated therein that this amount will be collected as a capital levy on Jews of German nationality and Jews having no nationality who under the decree of April 26, 1938 (reported in Embassy’s 215, April 30, 9 a.m.) were obliged to register with the authorities their entire domestic and foreign capital.
Briefly summarized the executive order provides that a fine equal to 20% of the total value as of November 12, 1938, of the property [Page 406] of the liable party is to be assessed on the basis of the value of the property registered in accordance with the decree last cited. The fine is payable in four installments falling due on December 15, 1938, and on February 15, May 15 and August 15, 1939. Jews the total value of whose property does not exceed 5000 marks are exempted from payment of the fine.
Paragraph No. 3 of section 1 of the executive order states “Jews of foreign nationality are not subject to the payment of this fine.”
Mailed to London for Rublee.