Evening star., 1941-06-20

magnanimity and with the most
broadminded consideration for in
ternational usage we refrained from
putting an end to the condition
until it became more and more un-
bearable."
Then suddenly, without the least
apparent or understandable reason,
the United States Government or
dered closure of German consulates,
closure was legally unjustified.
After Americas action, however,
one big news agency and so forth.
AS indicated in our protest, this
there was no longer any reason for
us to continue our magnanimous
attitude toward American machina-
ton in Germany.
Regulation had to follow which
does justice to the existing situa-
tion. Our action, however, was not
one of reprisal."
Prominent Press Display.
The entire Berlin press gave
prominent front-page display with
out comment to the officiai German
news agency's announcement of the
closing order.
This handling marked departure
In the practice of the controlled
press regarding recent developments
in American-German relations. Such
news generally has been relegated to
an inside page, and obscure corner,
or ignored.
The fate of American property,
such as household goods stored with
the American Express Co., was a
question.
Another question was what would
happen to the thousands of Jews
who have on file applications for
permits to enter the United States.
A great part of consular work in
recent months has been to handle
cases of emigrating Jews.
Meanwhile, Americans were await
Ing disclosure of the nature of Ger
many's steps in answer to the freez-
ing of Axis funds in the United
States. The government announced
Tuesday 1t was taking such action.
The American consulates in Dem
mark, Bulgaria and Rumania, where
German troops are present, were
not mentioned in the German an
nouncements since those consulates
fall under the jurisdiction of the
respective sovereign governments
authorized sources said.
Express Offices damned.
The American Express Offices on
Berlin's Inter den Linden were
jammed with buzzing crowds of
Germans and Americans inquiring
about money and passage.
An Embassy spokesman said no
plans or routes had been consid-
cred as yet for removal of Amer
leans to the United States.
DNB. official German news agency
declared the conduct of United
States consular and travel agency
employees long has been highly OBJ
jectionable" to Germany.
The agency listed six instances,
compiled by responsible sources
in which American consuls and en-
ployes were accused of "intrigues
injurious to the German state"
These cases, it was stated, were
taken "out of a wealth OF material
available to the Foreign Office"
A high light among the charges
was that Alfred w. Klieforth, consul
general in Cologne, had used code in
an arrangement with the Belgian
consul in an attempt to impart al
legged German plans of invading Bel
GUM, Holland and Luxembourg
DNB said this occurred in the fall
of 1889 and the spring of 1910.
Ivan Jacobsen, former employe OF
the consulate general in Oslo. Nor
way, was alleged TO have been found
in possession of numerous documents
on German occupation measures ano
troop movements when he reached
the Norwegian-SWedish frontier or
g journey to Moscow. DNB said
Jacobsen obtained the papers from
former employe of the consul. DR.
Frank Nelson, and that they were
intended for anti-German propa-
ganda abroad. DNB said this hap
pened early in December, 1910.
Sidney Redecker, consul at Frank
fort, was accused of delivering ad-
dresses unfavorable to Germany In
the fall of 1889 and passing along
information of secret military and
economic nature.
Consul Orsen Nelson and Consul