362.1113/5: Telegram
The Ambassador in Germany (Dodd) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 8—1:30 p.m.]
141. My 139, September 4, 5 p.m.; and Department’s 110, September 4, 6 p.m. The Foreign Office yesterday presented orally the deep regrets of the German Government at the attacks reported in the first paragraph of my telegram under reference and informed me that the cases had been turned over to the police with instructions to take the most energetic action possible.
The above communication was made by Dieckhoff to Gordon who pointed out that in the Bossard case the time and place of the attack were so definitely established that there should be no difficulty in apprehending two policemen who were then and there on duty and refused to take any action against the assailants.
In the further discussion that ensued Dieckhoff made the remarkable statement that, of course, these incidents did not indicate any anti-American or even anti-foreign sentiment here, an assertion which Gordon, of course, vigorously contested.
I feel I should report this, all the more so as coming from Dieckhoff who is perhaps the most conciliatory high official with whom the Embassy has to deal. Such an extraordinary statement makes me fear that the representations to the German Chargé d’Affaires set forth in your telegram under reference may not have been transmitted here with the weight and solemnity which should attach to them.
Accordingly I purpose at the earliest opportunity to have a frank talk with the Foreign Minister in the sense of the last sentence of your said telegraphic instructions.
Full report by mail.