[Geist, Raymond H.], Berlin. To [G.S.] Messersmith, [Washington].
Date
1939-01-22
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Parts of pp. 2 & 5 cropped and end of letter missing. Received call yesterday from [George] Rublee asking for help; owing to [Hjalmar] Schacht's dismissal, he had been unable to get any information from Reichsbank or Foreign Office as to whether negotiations with Intergovernmental [Refugee] Committee were to be continued; went immediately to [Hermann] Goering's office and talked to Maj. Gen. [Karl] Bodenschatz, Goering's chief aide, who has always been friendly; explained situation and asked Bodenschatz to talk to Goering; Bodenschatz called half hour later reporting that Goering said negotiations were not to be broken off and that he would like to see Rublee that afternoon; took Rublee to Goering's house at 2:30; [Helmuth] Wohlthat and interpreter with Goering to assist in conversation; Goering assured Rublee that Germans would aid Committee in carrying on its work; has little confidence in outcome of negotiations; Wohlthat an old friend and will deal honestly with Committee, but his hands will be tied by the powers above him; has not changed attitude concerning present regime and has disagreed with Messersmith only on probable longevity of regime; does not overestimate strength of regime, but is conscious of weaknesses of forces existing to oppose it; appeasement policy of France and England only encourages German aggression; snubs and gestures accomplish nothing; keeping U.S. Ambassador at home makes no impression here; only building up armaments and sending U.S. fleet into Atlantic can do that; Ambassador should be here; present staff capable, but does not have contacts which Ambassador through his high office is able to maintain; was pleased to have Avra Warren visit; he has gone home with clear picture of problems; talked over with him visa matters and Blücher Palace problem; was worried about Underwood and trouble his chauffer got into; succeeded in helping him get chauffer out of country, but now Underwood anxious to leave; work on Blücher Palace needs competent architect to oversee it and thinks Underwood should stay until job is complete; visa work back on solid and steady basis; terror somewhat subsided, and people not in such a mad rush to get out of country; has threatened to close quota for year if Nazis continue to terrorize Jews and make it impossible for this office to function; has also informed authorities that if another American is placed in concentration camp, State Department would be asked to make all American passports invalid for Germany.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.