The Department of State notified the Jewish War Veterans of the U. S.A. this weekend that the Department noted the Veterans concern in consideration of a West German Red Cross move for release of the last three major Nazi war criminals, and that the United States had rejected the German clemency action. The three Nazis, held in Spandau Prison, West Berlin, are Rudolf Hess, Hitler’s second in command; Baldur von Schirach, organizer of the Hitler youth movement; and Albert Speer, Nazi minister of armaments and munitions.
William R. Tyler, Assistant Secretary of State, notified JWV commander Morton London that, after considering the Jewish veterans’ position, “no (clemency) action has been taken, and we anticipate none at this time. ” “I must say, ” said Mr. Tyler, “I fully understand the feeling of revulsion which most Americans feel for all those who were personally involved in the terrible crimes against humanity for which the Nazi regime was guilty. Your concern is natural, and this concern has been taken into account in considering the matter of the three individuals who are still serving their sentences.”
The State Department official confirmed that the West German Red Cross had sought to obtain the liberation of the Nazis and that the Department had decided against such action. The German Red Cross had sought State Department initiative in obtaining Four Power consent for the release of the Nazis who are held in Spandau under the joint control of the United States, Britain, France and the Soviet Union.
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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.
