123G.711/273: Telegram
The Chargé in Italy (Reed) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 1—9:22 a.m.]
354. For Shaw.42 Consul Gotlieb has requested that I obtain from the Italian authorities an assurance that they have no objection to his retaining in his employ two Italian Aryan servants in view of recent legislation prohibiting employment of Italian Aryan domestics by persons of Jewish race. He has already taken matter up with the local Prefect but thus far without success. I am reasonably certain that such assurance could be obtained but I hesitate to request it because assurance if given would undoubtedly be accompanied by intimation that in view of Italian Government’s position on racial [Page 603] question Gotlieb should be replaced. In this connection see Embassy’s despatch No. 1142, November 10.
We consider Gotlieb one of the best of our Consuls in Italy. However, once his racial origin is brought officially to the notice of the Italian Government, even should the latter not suggest his removal, it seems logical to suppose that his efficiency would be very much impaired because of race prejudice. It may even be that the damage has already been done as a result of his having taken up his servant problem with the Prefect which must naturally have entailed admission that he is non-Aryan.
I should be grateful for any suggestions.
- G. Howland Shaw, Chief of the Division of Foreign Service Personnel.↩