Sir John Simon, Secretary for Home Affairs, today refused to interfere with the playing of a scheduled football game between British and German teams at Tottenham next Wednesday which has aroused widespread protest by labor and Jewish organizations.
In a letter to Sir Walter Citrone, general secretary of the British Trades Union Council in answer to labor protests against the holding of the game, Sir John declared:
“I do not think interference on the part of the government is called for The introduction of political feeling into a purely sporting contest is not desirable. Your letter gives me an opportunity to state that next Wednesday’s match has no political significance whatever and does not imply any view by either government regarding the policy or institutions of the other.”
Earlier, the London Evening Standard had reported Reichsfuehrer Hitler’s willingness to cancel the game if the British authorities thought it advisable in the interests of good-feeling.
Ten thousand Nazi rooters are accompanying the German team to England, it is reported here. The police have been warned of possible disorders arising from the presence of the Nazi rooters.
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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.
