Sobibor - Holocaust Propaganda And Reality - Unity of Nobility ...

200 J. GRAF, T. KUES, C. MATTOGNO, SOBIBÓR
Alongside these developments, the Reich administration continued
to promote energetically the Jewish emigration, primarily from Germany.
On 20 May 1941 Reinhardt Heydrich stopped all emigration of Jews
from France as well as Belgium “in view of the final solution of the
Jewish question, no doubt about to be realized.” 585 He obviously expected
the imminent implementation of the Madagascar plan. Still,
Heydrich reiterated the central tenet of NS policy toward the Jews: 585
“In accordance with an instruction emanating from the Reich
Marshall of the Greater German Reich [Göring], the emigration of
Jews from the Reich territory including the Protectorate of Bohemia
and Moravia is to be implemented actively, even under the present
state of war, within the conditions prevailing and taking into account
the directives for the emigration of the Jews.”
Then Heydrich goes on to explain in no uncertain terms the reasons
for his having prohibited the emigration of Jews from France and Belgium:
585
“As the Jews on the territory of the Reich, for example, have only
a limited choice of departure [routes], mainly via Spain and Portugal,
an emigration of Jews from France and Belgium would further
reduce these possibilities.”
Two months later, on 31 st July, Göring entrusted Heydrich with the
task of undertaking all necessary preparations for the “Endlösung” (final
solution), i.e. emigration or evacuation to Madagascar of all Jews
within the German sway. In the letter, Göring said: 586
“In addition to the task already entrusted to you by the decree of
14 January 1939, viz. to bring about an optimum solution to the
Jewish question by emigration or evacuation in accordance with the
conditions prevailing, I order you herewith to undertake all necessary
preparations – organizational, administrative, and material –
for a comprehensive solution of the Jewish question within the German
sphere of influence in Europe. To the extent that the competence
of other central agencies is concerned thereby, the latter are
[to be requested] to participate.
I order you furthermore to submit to me in the near future a comprehensive
proposal concerning the organizational, administrative,
585
586
NG-3104. The letter is signed by Walter Schellenberg representing Heydrich.
NG-2586-E. PS-710.