863.4016/56
The Minister in Austria (Stockton) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 9.]
Sir: With reference to my despatches Nos. 499, of March 2, 1932, and 661, of October 19, 1932,8 and my telegram No. 75, 5 p.m., October 20, 1932, I have the honor to enclose a copy of a report prepared by the Consul General, dated October 21, 1932,9 concerning the case of Mr. Jakob Benjamin Glenn, who on October 20 was the victim of an unprovoked attack at the University of Vienna.
Mr. Glenn called at the Legation yesterday with his wife and a cousin, Mr. Udelsmann, who is not an American, but who had accompanied Mr. Glenn to the University when he obtained his matriculation papers. Mr. Glenn was still somewhat shaken by his unfortunate experience. The swelling on his head had subsided, but he complained that he was still suffering from a headache. He stated [Page 125] he had received several kicks on his body, but that they were not serious. Mr. Udelsmann had apparently been more badly mauled than Mr. Glenn, his right eye and mouth being still black and blue.
I assured Mr. Glenn that he could count upon receiving all possible protection from the Legation. I advised him to go quietly and unobtrusively about his studies at the University, to associate himself with no political factions, and to avoid whenever possible encounters between Austrian students. I explained to him that the outbreak at the University had resulted from the tragedy which occurred in Simmering on October 16. I urged him, in view of the prevailing anti-Jewish sentiment among the non-Jewish Austrian and German students, that he try not to be over-sensitive to any slights he might receive; that if he was molested he should state quietly he was an American citizen; but if he were again assaulted that he should communicate immediately with the Legation.
In view of the Consul General’s statement in his report,10 enclosed with my despatch No. 499 above referred to, that some American Jewish students, relying upon their American citizenship to protect them from the consequences of their acts, might at times be inclined to become provocative, I did not inform Mr. Glenn that I had already advised the Department by telegram concerning the assault upon him, or that I proposed to protest to the Foreign Office.
I called on Dr. Dollfuss this morning and related to him such facts as the Legation had been able to obtain with regard to this regrettable incident. The Chancellor was visibly irritated at the occurrence and expressed himself vigorously with regard to what he termed “gross stupidity on the part of the National Socialist students”. He asked if I would like to have the Press Bureau informed that I had intervened in the case. I replied in the negative. I added that fortunately the incident had as yet received no publicity and that I hoped the press would hear nothing about it. He said he would immediately inform the Rector of the University that I had brought the matter to his attention and would do everything in his power to prevent a recurrence of such an incident. I was much impressed with his sincerity.
I left with him a copy of the enclosed aide-mémoire, dated October 22 [21], 1932,11 and in conclusion stated that during the disturbances at the University in July, 1931, I had telegraphed to my Government that no American citizen in Austria attending to his own business would need my intervention or the protection of the United States, [Page 126] and expressed the hope that it would never be necessary to invite his attention to another case of this character.
Respectfully yours,