German Ambassador Hans Luther, who lodged official protest against the mock trial of his chief, Adolf Hitler, in Madison Square Garden Wednesday night, was bluntly told by the State Department yesterday that the United States government declines to interfere. Such action would be a violation of the American principle of free speech, Luther was told by William Phillips, Under Secretary of State.
The trial of Germany’s Nazi chief, which was witnessed by more than 22,000 persons and heard by millions of radio listeners, was described by Mr. Phillips as a private affair.
Individuals and organizations with no official connections were sponsoring the meeting, Mr. Phillips said.
Luther lodged his protest when announcement of the meeting was first issued.
An invitation had been issued by the American Jewish Congress, sponsors of the meeting, to Dr. Luther who was asked to defend Hitler. No answer was forth-coming.
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