11. James McDonald and the Roosevelt Administration

Ginzei Haim ] * 138 [ position he had filled for fifteen years ( 1919 - 1933 ) . Shortly after Roosevelt’s inauguration in 1 33, McDonald applied for the post of ambassador to Berlin . He turned for help to Henry Morgenthau Jr . and Colonel House, the President’s advisers . “House was very enthusiastic about me,” and although he had recommended someone else, “he would prefer me,” wrote McDonald to a friend . 2 When nothing came of the Berlin appointment, the aggravation of the refugee problem caught McDonald’s attention . To tackle the refugee crisis on an international scale, the League of Nations decided in 1933 to institute a High Commission for Refugees . The Secretariat of the League, always looking for ways to enlist the United States’ cooperation, hoped that an american High commissioner would attract american money for the refugees . The State Department, however, was not enthusiastic . In view of america’s isolationist approach, which was opposed to any involvement in the Leag...  אל הספר
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