U.S. Authorities Adopt “hands-off” Policy in Case of Anti-semitic German Deputy

The staff of U.S. High Commissioner John J. McCloy has decided to pursue a “hands-off” policy in the case of Wolfgang Hedler, right-wing member of the West German parliament, who has been suspended from office for anti-Semitic fulminations.

Hedler, whose parliamentary immunity was lifted over the protestations of his own party, the German Party, faces prosecution in his district of Schleswig-Holstein for a speech he delivered at Einfeld declaring that Germany can be rebuilt without Jews and adding that “on whether the gassing of Jews was right, everyone should have his own opinion; maybe there were other methods of cleansing Germany of the Jews.” He also made other anti-Jewish remarks in his speech.

Deeply disgusted that such statements could be made by a German parliament member, but fearful that reaction against the spirit exemplified in Hedler’s remarks may slow up their plans for “integrating” the new state into the Western European community, Mr. McCloy’s advisers are nevertheless pleased at the prompt and apparently decisive action the Germans have taken.

“Under the circumstances it is far wiser to let the Germans handle the problem without Allied interference,” James R. Riddleberger, political adviser to the U.S. Commissioner, declared today. “If we stepped in, we would never really be able to tell to what degree what Hedler is supposed to have said reflects the opinion of other German spokesman. This way, we can see what the reaction is and how forcefully the Germans are willing to act in the case.”

Both Mr. Riddleberger and Benjamin Buttenwieser, Mr. McCloy’s assistant High Commissioner, however, said emphatically that if the Germans did not take final action which seemed strong and appropriate enough, they would feel that U.S. and Allied interference was justified.