851.4016/34: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Germany ( Morris )

1535. The Paris office of the American Embassy reports the publication in the Paris press of May 9 of a new ordinance by the occupying authorities dated April 26, 1941 and modifying their ordinance of September 27, 1940 relating to Jews. It is signed by the Commander of the German military forces in France and is applicable from the date of publication. Although the official text is not yet available sufficient information regarding the essential features of the ordinance has been received to indicate that further limitations with regard to the economic activity in occupied France of persons of Jewish origin have been imposed.

You are requested to bring this matter to the attention of the German Foreign Office and to state that this Government assumes in view of its previous communications on the subject, (see Department’s telegrams no. 2972, November 8, 194066 and 104, January 11, 1941,) that its application will not apply to American citizens engaged in business in France. A definite indication of the German Government’s position with regard to American citizens in this category should be obtained.

Hull