840.48 Refugees/1328: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 21—4:31 p.m.]
58. From Rublee. Embassy’s 52, January 21, 3 p.m.22 I called by [Page 73] invitation on Marshal Goering23 at his private house this afternoon. I conferred with the Marshal for one hour. General Bodenschatz and Wohlthat24 were also present. After the meeting the following communiqué, which was agreed on by both sides, was given to the press.
“Mr. Rublee had a private conference with Field Marshal General Goering this afternoon. Mr. Rublee is therefore in a position to state that the negotiations commenced with Dr. Schacht have not broken down but will be continued with Ministerial Direktor Wohlthat, an official specially designated for these negotiations.
Mr. Rublee is leaving for Paris tonight for the purpose of conferring with the Chairman and Vice Chairmen of the Inter-Governmental Committee. He will return to Berlin early next week to continue the conversations with Dr. Wohlthat.”
The atmosphere of the meeting was most cordial and friendly and Goering stressed repeatedly that he was anxious to find a solution of the Jewish problem. He appeared to be fully conscious of the importance of settling the problem from the point of view of good relations with other countries particularly the United States.
Goering said that the conversations with Wohlthat would continue from the point which they had reached with Schacht. The departure of Schacht from the Reichsbank had been decided by the Chancellor because Schacht had felt himself unable to carry out certain of the Chancellor’s wishes. Schacht could not continue the conversations with me because he was no longer in a position to hold the conversations in an unofficial capacity as President of the Reichsbank. Wohlthat in consequence will take his place since he occupies no ministerial function but is an official specially commissioned by General Field Marshall Goering for special duties. Wohlthat made a favorable impression on me during this afternoon’s meeting.
Goering did not enter upon the substance of our problem to any great extent. He discussed the subject of Jewish emigration generally and particularly emphasized the necessity of moving rapidly. I agreed that the conversations should go forward as rapidly as possible but explained that it was necessary for me to go to Paris tonight for consultation with Winterton and the officers of the Committee. I should be prepared to return to Berlin early next week.
In concluding the conversation Goering laid great stress at considerable length on the desirability of good relations between Germany and the United States. Outside of the Jewish problem he saw no concrete problems which should trouble relations between the two countries. [Rublee.]