Heydrich to the participants of the meeting at the Reich Economy Ministry of 20 August 1935
Source: Michael Wildt, Die Judenpolitik des SD 1935 bis 1938--Eine Dokumentation . (Muenchen 1995), pp. 70-73. September 9, 1935
To: a) Minister of Economy of the Reich b) Minister of Justice of the Reich and of Prussia c) Minister of the Interior of the Reich and of Prussia d) Minister of Propaganda e) Prime minister of Prussia f) The Deputy Fuehrer g) The Fuehrer's Plenipotentiary for Economic Affairs, Mr. W. Keppler. h) The Minister for Food and Agriculture of the Reich and of Prussia, Berlin.
Re: Proposals for the solution of the Jewish question. May I outline my proposals in writing regarding the meeting that took place at the Ministry of Economy on 20.8.35. In my opinion, the Jewish question cannot be solved by means of violence, abuse of individuals, destruction of private property or other Einzelaktionen (individual initiatives). The purification will only be facilitated by reducing Jewish influence step by step in the course of the organic reconstruction of the Reich, and by simultaneously launching a strong campaign by the party and the press to enlighten the population. Just as the influence of the Jews has been almost totally eliminated in the administration, civil service, arts and culture, one has to see to its reduction in all other branches of public life. In view of the offences in recent months, I believe it to be necessary that, especially in the field of free economy, the basic principle of equality will have to be relinquished. I am convinced that the Einzelaktionen [actions by individuals] will cease the moment the people of our nation see that the Jews' power in the economy is being broken. With respect to the fact that the Jews do not belong to the German national community according to National Socialist guidelines, I believe it is essential that they should have alien status. This measure in itself would be sufficient to prevent them from freely participating in economic life, to cancel the freedoms they enjoy and to separate them from the German national community. In the event that it will not be possible to give alien status to the Jews, permit me to make the following suggestions regarding the legal settlement of this question: 1) In order to limit further migration of the Jews to the big cities, a change of the law regarding freedom of movement is necessary. This would make a change of residence inside the country more difficult. This legislative change would clearly indicate that this measure is in no way intended to establish a ghetto. It would merely serve to prevent a concentration of Jewish elements in the big cities, which because of the increased ability to hide in them, pose a constant danger and a source of unrest. 2) Prohibition of mixed marriages between Germans and Jews.... A prohibition of mixed marriages could contribute to saving racially valuable parts of the national community. 3) In connection with the prohibition of mixed marriages it is necessary to pass a law against extramarital sexual intercourse between Germans and Jews.... 4) No state or other public contracts should be granted to Jews. Experience shows that large Jewish firms attempt to gain contracts from the state by under-bidding their Aryan competitors, offering very low prices, often at loss to their business in order to reinforce their position in the economy. To protect the German economy, legal measures must be taken to bar the authorities from dealing with Jewish or disguised Jewish firms. ... 6) The ownership of and dealership in real estate should be permitted fundamentally only to members of the national community. As Jews do not belong to the national community, they should be completely barred from leasing or purchasing land or plots.... During the years of inflation, a significant part of house ownership in the big cities came into Jewish hands. Many of these house owners are abroad, and the rent is being transferred to them, while the dwellings fall into decay. I therefore deem it necessary that the responsible authorities should focus on this situation and resolve it by confiscation, or at least by making the absentee landlords pay for renovation of the residences so that they should be fit for habitation by members of the national community. 7) In case the placing of Jews under alien status should not be possible, I believe that at least a change in the granting of passports should be made. A clear statement is needed to the effect that because the Jews are politically unreliable, they should not be issued passports. Exceptions should only be made if there is proof that they need the passport for travel in the interest of the German economy. This passport should be marked with a distinct sign to facilitate easy recognition of the passport holder's racial origin. I am of the opinion that this regulation is essential, as large numbers of Jews have recently applied for passports, and have obtained them in accordance with existing procedures. They use these passports for travel abroad, smuggling money and spreading horror stories about Germany. I believe that a legal settlement of this problem in these directions would contribute to settling the German economy, and that such legislation would be welcome by wide sections of the national community as an important step towards a clearing of the Jewish question. These attacks on the Jews' power bases in the economy would serve to steer them towards Zionism and effectively induce them to seek emigration.
