Evening star., 1938-11-16
Papers Overp|oyed
Jewish Angle,
Says Early
BY the Associated Press.

oS liz ASSOCldIcU EleSS.
The White House said today
President Roosevelt's rondemnation
of measures taken agaL>;t German
minorities applied to Catholic ele-
ments as we'll as Jewish.
Stephen Early, press secretary,
told reporters the morning news
papers, in referring to the Presl-
dents formal statement yesterday,
denouncing the Nazi attacks. had
"overplayed" the Jewish angle and
neglected to point out that Catholics
also were involved.
THE Presidents statement" Mr..
Early said, was treated by the press
as a rather unusual and firm state
ment as to Jews only, but it refers
to the Catholic situation, too"
He added the statement was in
tended to take in the stoning of
Cardinal Innitzer's home in Vienna
and measures against Catholics else
where who, he said, had been mis-
treated.
Many Calls Received.
Mr.. Early said the White House
had received many kilograms and
telephone calls approving the Presl-
dents statement in which he said
he could scarcely believe that such
things could occur in a Goth century
civilization
Any general protest from the
United States against mistreatment
of German Jews probably will await
Ambassador Hugh Wilson's confer
ence with President Roosevelt, ac-
cording to officials
Expression of this belief followed
the Presidents disclosure that he
personally gave the order for the
American envoy to return from Ber-
lin at once to report on anti-Semitic
violence.
The news of the past few days
from Germany has deeply shocked
public opinion in the United States"
Mr. Roosevelt said.
Such news from any part of the
world would inevitably produce a
profound reaction among American
people in every part of the Nation.
Il myself could scarcely belive that
such things could occur in a Goth
century civilization"
Procedure Unusual.
The President read his brief state
ment-an unusual procedure-to
the reporters gathered fanwise
around his souvenir -cluttered desk.
His voice was serious and his manner
solemn.
Government officials regarded his
remarks as highly important, mas
much as the head of a Nation rarely
comments on internal developments
in another country.
Mr.. Roosevelt indicated he would
receive from Ambassador Wilson,
after his arrival late next week, "a
f1rst-hand picture of the situation
in Germany" This led officials to
predict the two men would talk over,
not only the Jewish problem, but
also such points as:
l. Germany's ignoring of repeated
American note7 asking her to assume
Austria's debts to this country.
2. Germanys economic campaign
in Central Europe, which may i'm
pair American trade in that region
and which already is interfering
with the conclusion of trade agree
ment between the United States and
Turkey.
g. Germany's ambitions, economic
and political, in Latin America.
Common Defense Urged.
Many who heard the President
yesterday linked that third point
with his remarks on a common de-
fense of the Western Hemisphere
by the 81 American republics and
Canada against any aggression from
abroad.
Mr.. Roosevelt declared that as one
means Of insuring protection he and
his aides are discussing an increased
air force. He indicated clearly he
favored making it strong enough at
least to help defend the entire West
ern Hemisphere as we'll as the United
States against any aggression from
the outside.
officials believe Germany at pres
(see PROTEST, Page A-4.)