862.4016/1415
The Ambassador in Germany (Dodd) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 17.]
Sir: With reference to despatch No. 570 of February 28, 1934,98 I have the honor to report that the position of the Jews in Germany is gradually becoming more clearly defined though still fraught with a certain amount of ambiguity, as the anti-Jewish action of local officials frequently seems to overstep the general principles which have been officially given out by the national authorities. In addition, an anti-Semitic measure, namely, Hess’99 recent order to party members not to consort with Jews in public and not to consult Jewish lawyers and doctors or give aid to the Jews, has not been accorded official publicity. On the other hand, while the Aryan paragraph is being consistently enforced in the case of officials and in the cultural professions, and has been reintroduced in the Evangelical Church, such restrictions are being combated in business (see enclosure 11) and excesses repressed (see enclosures 2 and 3).
From the attached table (enclosure 4) it will be seen that there are still a considerable number of non-Aryan lawyers permitted to practice in Germany—more than half of the number before the Nazis came into power and considerably more, in comparison with the number of Aryan lawyers, than would correspond to their proportion of the population. Presumably many of these have been permitted to continue practising owing to their war record. Certain other news items bearing out the view above taken are attached in translation, as enclosure 5.
In private conversation with the syndic of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce, a member of my staff learned that a special section of that [Page 301] organization investigates all cases of unjustified commercial discrimination against non-Aryans brought to its attention, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Economics affords relief wherever possible.
Respectfully yours,