Evening star., 1941-04-05
u. :. Awaits BerIin's
Explanation Of Arrest
OF Embassy Clerk
OfficiuIs Here Consider
Action us Breach Of
Diplomatic Courtesy
BY LLOYD LEHRBAS,
Associated Press stan Writer.


The United States today awaited
an explanation from the German
government Of the arrest OF an
American clerk In the Embassy at
Berlin--the latest in growing list
Of trouble-provoking incidents ac-
companying a steady deterioration
in German-American relations.
Secretary Of State Hull ordered
representations made to the German
Foreign once after disclosure that
Stewart Herman, an Embassy en-
ploye, had been detained "appar-
emily without prior notification or
explanation to the Embassy"
Although Mr.. Herman was re-
leased after several hours question
ing, officials here we're understood
to consider his arrest a breach of
the diplomatic courtesy existing be-
tween officially friendly nations. and
important as an index TO the Ger
man governments attitude toward
the United States.
Reprisals Indicated.
When Mr.. Herman and six other
Americans-all since releaSed-Were
arrested, the German police admit
ted their action might have some
connection" with reprisals for the
Coast Guards seizure of two Ger
man merchant ships in United
States ports after discovery of a
widespread sabotage plot.
de- Nt ~ inf ~ n
quarters that Germanys antago-
nism stems primarily from Ameri-
can aid to Britain and encourage
ment of other threatened nations to
resist Nazi aggression.
American seizure of German ships,
detention of Nazi crews on immigra-
ton and sabotage charges, and Sec
retary Hull's fiat rejection of Ger
man protestS-together with the
cumulative effect OF numerous pre-
ceding incidents-have further en-
bittered NaZi feelings.
However, diplomatic circles here
express doubt that Germany plans
any very drastic action in the i'm
mediate future.
Nazis' Unfriendly Actions.
A diplomatic survey shows that,
since the start of the war. German
actions unfriendly or detrimental to
American interests include:
Requested withdrawal Of Ameri-
can diplomatic and consular officials
from numerous German-occupied
countries.
(The German Embassy here
and consulates throughout this
country continue to Junction.
Seizure of the American ship City
of Flint, which escaped only through
friendly offices OF the Norwegian
government when forced to put in to
Norwegian waters. The Germans
charged she was carrying contra
band
Refusal to grant safe conduct to
the American ship American Legion
with repatriated Americans from
Finland, and refusal to grant safe
conduct to the Manhattan, on which
1t was planned to evacuate Amer
leans in England and Ireland.
Arrest and detention of two Amer
lean newspapermen-Richard c.
Hottelet in Berlin and Jay Allen in
Nazi-occupied France.
American Woman's Arrest.
Arrest and imprisonment of Mrs.
Eta Kahn Shiber, an American
woman in Paris charged with aid
ing British military fugitives 10
escape from occupied France.
Demand that the United States
recall Cecil M. P. Cross, first secre-
tary, and Leigh w. Hunt. second
secretary of the Embassy in Paris,
on charges they assisted British Off
GERS to escape Mrs. Elizabeth Dee
gan, an Embassy employe, was ar
rested on similar charges, but later
was released.
Arrest of Ivan Jacobsen and
Frank Nelson, former clerks of the
Legation in Oslo, charged with pos
sessing documents hostile to the
Nazi-dominated Norwegian govern
ment.
Pressure for Naval Bases.
Pressure exerted on the Vichy
government to obtain the French
feet and naval bases, especially
Dakar, which might menace the
peace of the Western Hemisphere.
Yelled threats to sink American
vessels carrying supplies to England
or Ireland.
Extension of the sea blockade into
waters miles from Greenland,
pushing the war to the doorstep of
the Western Hemisphere.
Rejection of the Monroe Doctrine
when Secretary Hull informed Ger
many the United States would not
recognize" nor "acquiesce" in any
transfer of territory in the Western
Hemisphere from one American
nation to another.
Acts Protested by Germany.
The German government, in turn,
has protested or otherwise expressed
dissatisfaction because of the:
Withdrawal for consultation (and
subsequent resignation) of Hugh
Wilson, the American Ambassador
to Berlin, after many Jews were
executed, jailed or fned in connec-
ton with the murder of German
Embassy official by Jewish youth
In Paris.
Germany subsequently recalled
its Ambassador to Washington
Presidential proclamations "freez-
ing" the funds of countries occupied
by German forces.
Action by two young sailors in
tearing down the Swastika flag from