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

“racial and religious problems” stimulating “economic retaliation” against those nations
responsible for involuntary emigration. The resultant “international mistrust and
suspicion…and fear” would harm the policy of appeasement. The world faced “anarchy”
and the risk of war unless a workable solution was found to avert “catastrophic human
suffering.” 29
The delegates spent two days deliberating the selection of the president of the
conference. The United States preferred a French representative. 30
However, France
reflecting the British and French view of the need for the United States to assume the
leading role, insisted upon an American and ultimately Myron C. Taylor, “who
represented that very eminent personality, President Roosevelt,” was chosen. 31 Twentyfive
official delegates spoke during the Evian Conference and, with few exceptions, each
resonated a common theme: each nation felt sympathetic to the plight of the refugees but
domestic economic, cultural, racial and ideological factors limited or prevented the
acceptance of forced emigrants.
Lord Winterton acknowledged that the United Kingdom was anxious to find a
workable solution to the refugee crisis but high levels of local unemployment and
overpopulation precluded it from continuing its “traditional policy of offering asylum.”
Safe haven could now only be granted “within narrow limits.” While attempts would be
made to assimilate many of the Austrian and German refugees who had already gained
entry into Britain His Majesty’s Government would study the prospects of admission into
29 “Text of Taylor’s Address at Refugee Parley,” New York Times, July 7, 1938, 9.
30 Clarence K. Streit, “Taylor Made Head of Refugee Parley,” New York Times, July 8, 1938, 1.
31 “Proceedings,” July 7, 1938, 23.
166