Diplomatic Dispatches of Sir H. Rumbold, British Embassy Berlin.
Source: E. L. Woodward ed. Documents of British Foreign Policy Second Series Vol . V , (London 1956) p. 14-15.
1. Sir H. Rumbold (Berlin) to Sir J. Simon (Received March 31, 2:30 P.M.) No 76 Telegraphic [ C 2974/319/18] Berlin March 31, 1933 2:10 P.M.
Your Telegram No. 23 I understand fully the indignation of Parliament and like all my colleagues here am greatly disturbed by the situation which has arisen owing to ill-treatment of Jews and political leaders. At the same time you will realise how extremely delicate this situation has now become. Their utterances and actions show that we are dealing with a Government led by a hypersensitive Chancellor supported by three inexperienced and brutal colleagues who are deaf to level headed advice. Entire Ministry of Foreign Affairs is regarded by Nazis with suspicion and hostility. Idea of a Jewish boycott is proof in itself of the inexperience and fanaticism of its instigators.... 2. Sir H. Rumbold (Berlin) to Sir J. Simon (Received April 1, 10:45 A.M.) No 77 Telegraphic: by telephone C2998/319/18] Berlin April 1, 1933 Baron von Neurath whom I met last night spoke to me spontaneously about the boycott of Jewish establishments announced for today. I asked why, when anti German campaign was dying down, Nazi leaders had announced this boycott. He said that he himself had been taken by surprise and that he deplored their action. President had in vain spent an hour on Thursday in trying to persuade Hitler to call off the boycott.... Baron von Neurath said that after a hard struggle in the Cabinet that morning he had persuaded Hitler and his wilder colleagues to agree to cancel the boycott if he could produce declarations by prominent members of the Jewish race in England and in United States which might be endorsed by the respective Governments to the effect that they were satisfied that the reports of excesses against Jews had been exaggerated and that there was no intention of boycotting German goods...
