893.55J/4: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 17—11:48 a.m.]
127. Last evening the British Counsellor read to me portions of an instruction received by his Embassy to the effect that a recent meeting of the Consular Corps at Shanghai had voiced the view that inasmuch as a serious problem had been created by the large number of German Jewish immigrants who were arriving in the city without funds and for whom no work could be provided, steps should be taken to prevent further Jewish emigration to Shanghai. The British Ambassador here was instructed to take this matter up with the German Foreign Office and to request me to take similar action. He asked me if I was prepared to take the action envisaged.
[Page 92]I felt it expedient to reply that an instruction to an Ambassador was one thing and the details of his carrying out such an instruction was another especially as I had noted that the instruction gave the Ambassador a considerable degree of latitude in that he was to act “in his discretion”. In response to my inquiry as to how it was expected Germany could assist in this matter the Counsellor said that among other things the British were “discouraging” the travel of Jews to Shanghai on British ships and that Germany might do the same respecting German shipping.
I said that I was not prepared to take any action without instructions and in any event I felt it desirable that we first be informed that his Ambassador had taken action and further be advised of the form and content of such action together with the response made thereto by the German authorities.
I have concluded however to apprise the Department of these circumstances in view of the presumption that it has received advices direct from Shanghai and might wish to instruct me in some manner.