The Jewish Trail of Tears The Evian Conference of ... - Haruth.com

Part I, “The Gathering Storm,” includes Chapter 1-4. Chapter 1 provides
information regarding the Austrian Jewish community prior to the Anschluss. Jewish
emigration from Germany, beginning with the ascension to power of Adolf Hitler, is
broken down into four distinct phases. Chapter 2 describes the Anschluss itself and the
Jewish and international reactions to what many regarded as a violation of the Versailles
Treaty. The specter of forced emigration from the Eastern European countries of Poland,
Hungary and Rumania appears on the horizon as a potential and greater threat and will
influence the formation and scope of the Evian Conference. The immigration policies of
various countries are touched upon and the positive actions of Bolivia and a Chinese
diplomat, Feng Shan Ho are highlighted. Warnings about the dangers of mass migration
are broached by such journalists as Dorothy Thompson and are influential in the
American decision to convoke an international refugee conference. Chapter 3 explores
the failure and successes of the League of Nations in dealing with refugee matters and
frames the United States Department of State official invitation to attend the meeting
which will be held in Evian, France. Initial reactions for and against the meeting are
discussed and greater details of national immigration policies are provided. The ominous
threat of the Eastern countries is again addressed to a greater degree and Palestine is
excluded from discussion as a site of possible refuge. Chapter 4 delves more deeply into
the reactions of the American and foreign press, politicians and Jewish and Muslim
communities towards the convocation of the conference. The Presidential Advisory
Committee for Political Refugees, created by Roosevelt and headed by the former High
Commissioner for Refugees from Germany, James G. McDonald makes its appearance
on the scene.
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