The German Government made no mention of readjustment of the present status of the Jews and other minorities in a secret peace conference agenda assertedly forwarded to the United States Government shortly after the conquest of Poland, Verne Marshall, Iowa editor and chairman of the Keep-America-Out-of-Foreign-War Committee, said at a press conference here today.
The “agenda,” which Marshall said was carried to this country by W.R. Davis, multi-millionaire international oil operator, offered a basis for a “just, honorable and permanent peace through the solution of the economic difficulties that are the underlying causes of the war.” he declared.
He declined to reveal any details of the agenda, referring reporters to Assistant Secretary of State Adolph A. Berle, but said that in his opinion the proposals were sound and could still be used as a basis for peace negotiations. He added he believed the Germans were sincere in offering them.
Marshall was asked: “Did the Germans offer any plan for the solution of the problems of racial and religious minorities in Europe as part of the basis for peace discussions?”
He replied: “No, they did not.”
(While this alleged peace plan was drawn up after the conquest of Poland–more than a year ago–Germany is since reported to have prepared a plan to deport Europe’s approximately five million Jews to Madagascar. According to an article by Max Nussbaum in the Contemporary Jewish Record, the Gestapo informed Jewish officials last July that the plan provides for self-admin, cultural and religious autonomy, under the rule of a German Government fear the Jews in ?.)
He added, however, that he was convinced the creation of a sound world economic basis would cause the problems “to solve themselves, and God knows they need solving.”
Davis, Marshall said, went to Europe to sound out peace sentiment after a White House conference with President. Roosevelt and Berle. He decline, however, to call Davis an “embassy” of the President. After encountering difficulties with the British authorities at Bermuda, Marshall continued, Davis reached Europe and secured a peace parley offer “initialled by high officials of two belligerent powers.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
