Memorandum by Wilhelm Stuckart, Ministry of the Interior, on Inter-Ministerial-Discussion, 29 September 1936.
Source: Kurt Paetzold (ed.), Verfolgung Vertreibung Vernichtung. Dokumente des faschistischen Antisemitismus 1933-1942, (Frankfurt on Main 1984), pp. 127-131.
Secretary of State [Staatssekretaer] Dr. Stuckart began by explaining that the discussion was intended as preparation for a top-level discussion (i.e. of ministers) of Jewish policy. To regulate the economic status of the Jews it is necessary to lay down the fundamental direction of overall Jewish policy in this way to establish uniformity in all political measures against the Jews. The economic status of the Jews must be clarified now in order to avoid the danger of Jews winning new ground in the German economy....
Ministerialdirektor Sommer added: From point of view the NSDAP, the Jewish question can be considered solved only when - in accordance with the party programme - there are no Jews left in Germany. This ultimate goal is undisputed. The present was only to be regarded as an interim measure towards the ultimate goal. For the moment then, it is just a matter of deciding on the extent and pace of the measures.
Staatssekretaer Dr. Posse stated that when it came to putting the party program into practice, the economic aspect must also be adapted to this ultimate aim. This was feasible. However the stages must be worked out....
Staatssekretaer Dr. Stuckart pointed out that there could be no difference of opinion concerning the ultimate aim of Jewish policy: this involved complete emigration, since the party program is also conclusive for the state. The aim, however, can only be achieved in stages. The principle underlying the pace of emigration must always be the greatest possible advantage for the German people. Emigration must be achieved by doing what is feasible at any given time. It was necessary to adjust all measures to this goal. The aim itself, of encouraging the emigration of Jews, provides the justification for all measures. All measures concerning Jewish policy must serve this aim. Jews can only be permitted to engage in economic activity for the purpose of earning a living without their economic or political situation affecting their will to emigrate. Eventually, forced emigration would have to be taken into consideration. Jewish self administration ΓÇô It has to be taken into account that for the time being there are still Jews in Germany. It must therefore be decided to what extent the Jews should be excluded from the German nation and what degree of self administration they should be granted. The question has already been answered with regard to cultural and religious life. The establishment of a separate school system is under preparation. However, one should not go beyond these limits. There should in particular be no self administration in the social-political domain. This would only serve to enhance the cohesiveness and solidarity of the Jews. From an internal political point of view, this would be undesirable and would make the Jews reject emigration.
Staatssekretaer Dr.Posse declared that the Jews should be permitted a certain degree of business activity in Germany until their emigration becomes possible. They should not be pushed into a situation where they would need social aid. On 24 August 1936, English banks had submitted to the Ministry of Trade and Commerce (Wirtschftsministerium) a plan to help the Jews leave Germany with the support of foreign capital. In view of this, it may be necessary to allow the Jews a certain degree of economic freedom since only Jews with some capital or some sort of higher education are likely to be accepted into another land. Jews must therefore at least be allowed to set up and run their own schools.
Ministerialdirektor Sommer indicated that wealthy Jews would normally not wish to emigrate. For this reason, they should not be given too much freedom in business matters. On the other hand, the creation of a Jewish proletarian class should be avoided ... Jews must be given the opportunity of vocational training in agriculture. The Minister of Agriculture would therefore be forced to abandon his opposition on this point. ...
Staatssekretaer Dr. Stuckart brought up the question of possible countries of destination for Jewish emigrants. It should be decided where to direct the streams of emigrating Jews. It should be remembered that the Jewish emigrants would in general surpass the inhabitants of the countries of immigration, especially in South America. The possibility could therefore not be ignored that the Jews might soon gain influence and establish an economy hostile to Germany. For this reason, Palestine has been favoured up to now as a destination for Jewish emigration.
Reichsamtsleiter Dr. Blome said that the first priority was the emigration of Jews at all costs. One should not direct a policy of emigration to Palestine alone.
Staatssekretaer Dr.Posse pointed out that in the event of Jews being encouraged to emigrate with the help of foreign capital, it would not be possible to influence the choice of the country.
Staatssekretaer Dr. Stuckart said in conclusion that Jewish emigration must of course be encouraged regardless of the host country, but that German funds should initially be directed towards Palestine. The question was raised whether one should not explain to the press that articles on anti-Jewish sentiment in other countries, such as in Palestine, tend to discourage Jews from emigrating. To this Ministerialdirektor Sommer stated that one could not reproach other nations when they defend themselves against the Jews. Action in this regard was not advisable. Treatment of Jewish Mischlinge and people married to Jews – On the question of the economic treatment of Jewish Mischlinge and people married to Jews, the participants were unanimous that all measures should be limited to Jews themselves (article 5 of the First Regulation to the Citizenship Law). Economically, the Jewish Mischlinge and people married to Jews should be treated as Germans. …
Ministerialrat Dr. Hoppe pointed out that it would not be possible to forbid individual businessmen who are long-time Party members to maintain economic contacts with Jews. There are still branches of the economy that are totally or almost completely in Jewish hands. It would therefore be practically impossible to obtain supplies exclusively from non-Jews. Such a prohibition would also have severe repercussions in foreign trade, especially as it is impossible to find out whether a foreign firm is Jewish or not. After a thorough discussion, it was unanimously agreed that the restriction of business contacts with Jews for Party members and civil servants would be limited only to the consumers and would not extend to internal business and import and export. …
Staatssekretaer Dr. Posse posed a question concerning possible objections to a Jew working as a representative for a German firm abroad. Such cases would normally be dealt with by the Foreign Organisation of the NSDAP, [the A.O.], which demands that the company dismiss the Jewish representative. Experience has shown, however, that such a policy has usually led to considerable damages to German foreign trade and currency reserves. The result of this query was that, as a rule, there would be no objection to Jews acting as representatives for German Firms abroad.... The discussion then turned to the question of whether public services should be allowed to deal with Jewish companies, especially where public contracts are concerned. It was noted that a strict ban on such contracts was not feasible at the moment. For the time being, the regulation must be that public contracts be given to Jews only in cases of necessity. This ruling already represented a considerable tightening of existing guidelines.... It was overwhelmingly agreed that an urgent need exists for a definition of which companies are to be regarded as Jewish.... A special sticker identifJewish businesses has so far been ruled out by order of the Fuehrer. It was therefore necessary to find some way making non-Jewish businesses identifiable. A special sign might be introduced, which could also be used by Mischlinge, and especially by foreigners. The sign could be put in the same place where regulations stipulated the name of the owner be indicated. Some sort of identification would be unavoidable when certain groups of the population were forbidden to conduct purchases in Jewish shops, and these people would need to be able to recognise whether a business or shop were Jewish or not....
