Evening star., 1938-01-07
D0DD CALLS POST
'AHOPELESS TASK
Retiring Envoy to Berlin
AssaiIs Nazi Regime.
Sees World War.
By the Associated Press.

6J the Associated tIeSS.
NEW YORK, Jan DIR. William
E. Dodd, back in America after quit
ting his post as Ambassador to Ger
many, said today he found it "A hope
less task" to represent this country in
Berlin and asserted he despaired of
the prospects for world peace He
said world war was the logical out
come" of vast war preparations.
The retiring Ambassador is leaving
tonight for Washington with his FAM
lily and before returning to his Vir-
ginia farm will make a personal report
to President Roosevelt on his four and
one-half years in the German capital.
The unexpected statement by the
former Chicago University historian,
in a prepared declaration of his rea-
sons for resigning, was the assertion
that many eminent Germans" ap-
proved of his refusal to attend Nazi
conferences where democracy was
ridiculed and attacked
When asked who these notable Ger
mans were, he said;
DO you want them put into Jail?
I can only say there were many of
them"
Unable to Spend $4,000"
DR. Dodd who once stated Il am
utterly unable TO spend $50 600 year
as most ambassadors are in the habit
of doing" declared that he was mot
interested" in future diplomatic
career. He plans to lecture occasional
ly in American universities and will
spend most OF his time on his farm
completing book on The Old South. ~
The Ambassador, whose son, William
E. Dodd, jr., has been a leading agi-
tator in recent weeks for an anti
Japanese boycott, also said:
With war preparations and the
raising Of trade barriers beyond any
thing known to modern history, an
other method of government has been
adopted from Rome to Toxic Over
that vast area freedom of religion has
ceased to exist and the universities nc
longer govern themselves.
In a single country"-fis son said
the Ambassador meant Germany
1900 professors and teachers in high
schools have been dismissed, the
Rockefeller Foundation having given
more than s50o.00o to help the help
less"
What Can an Envoy Doo
Regarding the duties of an American
envoy in Berlin he said:
In vast region where religious
freedom is denied, where intellectual
initiative and discovery are not al
lowed and where race hatreds are cul-
tlvated daily, what can a representa-
tive of the United States do?"
His son, who was educated in Ber-
lin, took issue with a statement by his
father that the German people are
naturally more democratic than any
other great race in Europe"
Yes, l know what he means, but I
still don't think it's true" said the
younger Dodd
The parents were met down the
harbor by their son. Their daughter
Martha, who recently returned here
and Is planning to write criticism of
the Nazi regime, joined them at the
pier.
AS to his sons plans to run for
Congress from Virginia, the elder
Dodd said: Il don't object if anv one
will vote for him"
Dodd, Jr.. Plans Campaign.
The son said today he intends to
return to Virginia soon to re-establish
his residence in preparation for an
entrance into politics.
I've been away from home more
tnan year" said Dodd, but LOU
ooun County is my official residence
and that's where I pay my poll tax"
He said he would stand for Congress
on the Democratic ticket. proba blv
seeking nomination IN the primary in
August
I'm a New Deal Democrat" he
said
Dodd. jr.. taught IN William and
Mary College in 1885 and 1896. then
went to Geneva. returning to the
United States a few weeks ago to a
temporary position With the Ameri-
can League Against War and Fascisna.