Consul General George S.

Messersmith United States Embassy Berlin, Consular Section

Clayallee 170 14195 Berlin Federal Republic of Germany

10 July, 1933

To whom it may concern:

I am writing in regard to the upcoming Olympics in Berlin. As I am sure you are well aware by now, I am very concerned about American participation in the upcoming Games. Being that I am currently appointed to Consul General in Berlin, I understand perhaps better than anyone how dangerous it could be for the United States to participate. I have never hidden my contempt or distrust of the Nazi regime; I feel that their very involvement in an international event such as the Olympics could hold dire consequences, and for the United States in particular. I also find it unethical as a nation to participate in any event in which the host country will not even ensure the basic rights and fair treatment of its own citizens, and furthermore, will not adhere completely to the Olympic rules and statutes. I feel that Dr. von Lewalds announcement promising the fair treatment of Jewish- German athletes will go largely unheeded by the German government. If it is heeded at all by the German government, I feel that it will be nothing more than a front to appease the American population. At best, I believe that the

Germans will allow a minimal number of Jews on their teams in order to create the illusion that Jews will be treated equally for the duration of the Games. Even Dr. von Lewald himself did not deny the persistent rumor that Jewish athletes have not been permitted to train for any athletic event, especially the upcoming Olympics. It is unlikely that-- given the recent German emphasis on sport--an athlete will be permitted to represent Germany without proper training, thereby excluding Jews . In any case, the assurance of the participation of Jewish- German athletes does not ensure the safety of Jewish- American athletes. In my opinion, to subject our own Jewish athletes to a situation of compromised safety without full disclosure regarding this situation would be callous and, better yet, shameful. It is in all earnest that I therefore urge the United States to withdraw from the upcoming Olympics in Berlin. However, if this is not deemed feasible, I implore the Department of State to ensure that the IOC and AOC--as well as American athletes and the American population in general--have access to information concerning the horrendous German treatment of their Jewish population in particular, among other groups. I feel that this way, at the very least, the IOC, AOC, our American population, and our athletes will be able to make informed decisions concerning the Games.

Sincerely,

George S. Messersmith

Bibliography
Wenn, S. R. (1989). Olympics, A Tale of Two Diplomats: George S. Messersmith and Charles H. Sherrill on Proposed American Participation in the 1936 Olympics. Journal of Sport History, 16(1), 17. Retrieved 2 16, 2014