862.404/127: Telegram

The Ambassador in Germany (Dodd) to the Secretary of State

140. Your 50, July 22, 6 p.m. Intensification of campaign against Jews and Roman Catholics, the former characterized by mob violence in Berlin, and the widespread suppression of the Stahlhelm have come as a climax to several months of agitation by Nazi Party extremists. The public is perplexed and uneasy, fear being expressed lest the checks hitherto supposed to be more or less effective against subversive tendencies latent in National Socialism should no longer be functioning. The situation is still far from clear as to the interplay of different forces in the Government particularly as to how far the conservative element is really at a disadvantage or whether it is merely biding its time. The authorities, however, are reported to have become increasingly nervous lest prevalent discontent might polarize either in the Nazi Party or to the advantage of the Communist or in the form of “clerical” or other reaction.

For the dissatisfied “front fighter” and extremists element in the party the readiest safety valve is afforded by anti-Semitic tactics for which Streicher’s violent propaganda and the considerable migration of provincial Jews to Berlin during recent months have paved the way. As disorders are prejudicial to Germany’s standing abroad it is to be presumed that Government will have every interest to [Page 358] avoid actual pogroms though there will likely be no diminution of legal and police action calculated to make situation of non-Aryans impossible.

Major developments in anti-clerical campaign are expected to await return from 3 weeks leave presumably to be devoted to study of the situation of newly appointed Minister for Church Affairs Kerrl as [and?] also meeting of Catholic bishops scheduled for August 16th. At present principal indicator of Government intentions is afforded by Goering manifesto of July 18th denouncing clerical interference generally and instructing provincial governors and secret police to prosecute manifestations of the same. I know of no recent arrests of priests except for exchange smuggling. The Papal Nuncio has delivered a note alleged to contain protest against violation of concordat in connection with freedom of Roman Catholic teaching and associations.

Dodd