Evening star., 1940-02-10

49,
DIR. WILLIAM E. DODD.
first public speech in Berlin, on Oc-
tober S, 1888, drew parallel between
the problems faced by Roosevelt and
Adolf Hitler, saying that one of the
common basic difficulties was the
lack of free land, and nobody who
would take it If there were any left"
A few days later he drew wide ap-
plause in Germany by declaring that
among the essentials for survival of
western civilization were the lower
ing of barriers against migration of
surplus populations, and the free ex-
change of surplus goods.
But few months later the favor
able atmosphere thus created, began
to fade. Germany declared a mora
torium on debt payments, including
bonds issued under the Dawes and
Young plans. goodly volume OF
which were held by Americans. Tie
Ambassadors protests were futile.
On top of this Germany gave notice
of abrogation of its most favored
nation commercial treaty with the
United States. Later the American
Government stigmatized the Ger
man administration as a violator of
solemn covenants.
American Youth Beheaded.
Attacks by Nazis upon American
citizens who failed to use the Nazi
salute grew in number and caused
considerable bitterness. In June,
1887. Helmuth Hirsch, 21-year-old
American citizen, but who was de-
scribed by the NaZis as "a Jew with
out country" was beheaded for an
alleged reasonable plot to assas-
sinate Julius Streicher, the Reich S
leading Jew-baiter. The execution
took place despite four appeals for
clemency made by DR.. Dodd per-
sonally.
Another troublesome incident arose
in March. 1887, when Fiorello La
Guardia, mayor of New York, bitter
ly assailed Hitler in a New York
speech and the whole controlled
press of Germany burst out in re-
ordinations. DR.. Dodd had the
thankless task Of explaining to Nazi
officialdom the American right of
free speech and, at the same time
transmitting protests against the
wholesale anti-American press at
tacks. The latter ceased as suddenly
as they had begun and DR.. Dodd
was credited with having helped
achieve this result.
But this incident was topped by
Mr.. Dodd's unexpected warning Of
the American dictatorship" plot
| What he said in his letters to Sena-
tors about totalitarian governments
did not sit well with the German
government. His attempt a few
months later to prevent the United
States from being represented a,
Nurnberg, although England, France
and other democracies which in
previous years had lodged at
| tendance at the annual Nazi rallies
had accepted the 1887 invitations
made him distinctly persona non
grata to Wilhelmstrasse.
The fact was made plain when
he left Berlin on December %, 1887
Hitler gave him no farewell au-
dience. Even the customary dinner
by the German foreign minister
was omitted. It was reported that
Konstantin Won Neurath, the foreign
minister, had offered Mr.. and Mrs
Dodd a date before Christmas, but
this was inconvenient and Neurath
thereupon left Berlin for the hoI-
day season.
Only the staffs of the American
Embassy and Consulate were at the
Dodd apartment to say good-by
To avoid any possible demonstration
at railway station, Mr.. and Mrs
Dodd motored from their Berlin
residence to Hamburg where they
| took ship for America.
Hopeless Task" Described.
Arriving in New York on January
6, 1888, DR.. Dodd issued a statement
IN which he said he had found
representing America in Berlin "a
hopeless task"
In vast region where religious
freedom is denied, where intellectual
initiative and discovery are not al
lowed and where race hatred Is
cultivated daily, what can a rep.
resentative of the United States
do?" he asked.
Il made addresses on suitable oc-
casions,' he added "and described
our international difficulties, never
criticizing the government to which
had been sent. But when invita-
tions to partisan groups were sent
to me I maintained the attitude
which our country has held since
the Presidency of George Washing
ton. Was it the duty of representa-
tives of democracy to attend con-
ferences where democracy was ridi-
culed and attacked? can not thinl.
SO; and many eminent Germans al
ways agreed with me-"
Asked who these Germans were
he said he couldn't name them be-
cause If known they would be jailed
The ex-Ambassador opened fire
with both barrels a week later when
he was rendered a testimonial din
ner. At it he said that in Germany
under Hitler almost as many per-
sonal opponents have been killed
in five years as Charles II of Eng
land executed in 20 years in the
18th century"
Berlin at once ordered its ambas-
sador to protest to Secretary Hull
The latter explained that DR.. Dodd
as an ex-diplomat, was outside his
jurisdiction. In Berlin papers were
permitted to print only a three-line
item stating the fact of the protest
I'VE don't propose to take fur
ther notice." government spokes-
man said.
Palace Club to Meet
w. L. Tppett, manager Of las
| wears Palace baseball team. ha!