Neurath asked Dodd whether the United States did not have a Jewish problem of its own. You know, of course, Dodd said, that we have had difficulty now and then in the United States with Jews who had gotten too much of a hold on certain departments of intellectual and business life. He added that some of his peers in Washington had told him confidentially that they appreciated the difficulties of the Germans in this respect but that they did not for a moment agree with the method of solving the problem which so often ran into utter ruthlessness.
In the conversation between Neurath and Dodd, the issue of Jewish influence in America was brought to light. Dodd acknowledged that there had been challenges in the U.S. regarding the Jewish presence in various sectors, particularly intellectual and business realms. This suggests a sensitivity to the idea of Jewish influence, indicating that it was recognized even within the American government.
Dodd further mentioned that some colleagues were sympathetic to the German view on this matter, yet they firmly opposed the brutal methods employed to address their concerns. This highlights a significant moral distinction held by American officials, as they understood the complexities of the situation while simultaneously condemning the violent approach taken by the Nazis.
