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

the Colonies and especially the East African territories. However, such projects could
only benefit a restricted number of families as regional socioeconomic concerns,
overpopulation, climate, racial and political differences imposed barriers to mass
immigration. He reassured the conference delegates that “His Majesty’s Government
does not despair that some of its colonial territories might provide a solution of the
problem.”
Winterton predicted that the task facing the international conference would be
“immeasurably complicated” or potentially “insoluble” unless the Reich allowed refugees
to maintain assets sufficient enough to facilitate immigration and resettlement “with some
prospects of success.” It was unrealistic, he believed, to expect any “thickly populated”
nation to accept individuals robbed of the “means of subsistence” prior to entry nor could
private organizations be expected to bear the financial burden. He also warned that “false
expectations” would be raised by the belief that “pressure on minorities of race and
religion” could compel other nations to admit refugees. 32 Winterton carefully avoided
any reference to Palestine in his opening remarks.
Although Jews represented the majority of the involuntary refugees Winterton
informed the Jewish representatives attending the Conference that they would not be
considered as active participants in the meeting. Arthur Ruppin of the Jewish Agency for
Palestine described Winterton as “a notorious opponent of Zionism and a friend of the
Arabs.” Ruppin noted that Winterton received the Jewish representatives “exceedingly
coldly” and was dismissive of their opinions regarding the issue of Jewish migration from
Central and Eastern Europe. The meeting, lasting only fifteen minutes, was a “slap on
32 ”Proceedings,” July 6, 1938, 13-15.
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