Henry Morgenthau to Woodrow Wilson
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In compliance with your request I saw Mr Schiff and explained to him what induced you to offer me the Turkish Mission and that you were not aware that our People were so strongly opposed to having any position made a distinctly Jewish one or having the impression continued that Turkey was the only country where a Jew would be received as our Countrys representative.
Mr Schiff was pleased to hear your views and I found that he shared my desire that no Jew be appointed as Turkish Ambassador.
He informed me that Secretary McAdoo had asked him over the telephone, last Sunday, to suggest a Jew for the NY SubTreasurership and that he had written McAdoo that he knew of none. Senator O’Gorman asked me the same question last Friday & I declined to suggest any one.
I wonder if they understand that this is diametrically opposed to your oft expressed policy of selecting men solely on their merits and not on account of their religion.
Why should the Jews be treated differently than any one else? Would prominent Methodists or Baptists be told here is a “Position” find one of your faith to fill it?
I wrote you frankly because I know you regret mistakes of this kind as much as any of us.
Yours faithfully
Henry Morgenthau
Hon. Woodrow Wilson