851.4016/34: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Leahy) to the Secretary of State

1372. From Paris. Reference Embassy’s despatch 7466, January 13th, 1941,65 and previous communications regarding German ordinance of September 27th, 1940. A new ordinance by the occupying authorities dated April 26th, 1941, and modifying their ordinance of September 27, 1940, relating to Jews was published in the press of May 9th. It is signed by the commander of the German military forces in France and is applicable from date of publication. Official text is not yet available. The following are the essential features of the ordinance as published:

Under article 1 all persons having at least three Jewish grandparents will be considered as Jews. A grandparent having belonged to a Jewish religious order will be considered ipso jure as Jewish. Furthermore all descendants of two Jewish grandparents and who (1) at moment of present ordinance belong to a Jewish religious order or do so later or (2) are married to a Jew or marry later a Jew will be considered as Jewish.

Article 2 requires that all persons affected must register before May 30th next and article 3 embodies a comprehensive list of economic activities from which Jews and Jewish enterprises not actually under the management of administrative commissioners will be excluded after May 20th next. This list covers practically all phases of economic activity. The same article also lays down severe restrictions on the employment of Jews. Article 4 provides for the appointment of administrative commissioners who will manage the interest of partners in limited liability companies belonging to Jews or to Jewish enterprises. [Page 507] The administrative commissioners may sell such interests but not to Jews. Under article 6 no compensation will be made for damage resulting from the application of this ordinance.

The German official in charge of Jewish questions in France explained to the press that the new ordinance was intended to put an end to trading by Jews which had not definitely stopped under the liquidation procedure. He said that while the income and proceeds of liquidation had up to now been paid to owners by the administrative commissioners henceforth they would only receive “indispensable subsidies” even when an enterprise is totally liquidated. This official further stated that in order to eliminate Jewish participation in enterprises commissioners would be appointed to represent the Jewish proprietors. He concluded that the measures would probably be applied to the unoccupied zone by the French authorities and that the peace treaty would provide for the complete elimination of Jews from the Continent.

Leahy
  1. Not printed.