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

Chapter 6
Day Four
“Humanity Now Plunged into Despair”
“I am my brother’s keeper and we are to be the benefactors of mankind and brothers to them all.” 1
The Chairman, Myron C. Taylor, expressed during the third public session on July 9,
1938 his “pleasure” over the initial delegation statements to the conference.
Acknowledging the “economic and other difficulties” faced by the presenting nations
their efforts had already provided “substantial contributions” to the work of the meeting.
He was greatly encouraged by the “offers of cooperation so generously and unanimously
extended” and was heartened by their profound “earnestness.” 2
A telegram was received
from FDR in which he wished “for all success to the committee in its work, which is of
such importance, for a large part of humanity now plunged into despair.” 3
Cyril Blake Burdekin, a low-ranking diplomat in the New Zealand High
Commissioners’ Office in London and delegate to the conference, expressed his nation’s
“sincere sympathy” with the lot of the involuntary refugees but suggested that any
intimation that the island nation could accept more than a limited number of refugees
1 “Our Refugee Stand is Praised at Camp,” New York Times, July 11, 1938, 15. Lt. Col. B.A. Tinter,
Rabbi of Mt. Zion Congregation of New York City during Jewish services at the Citizens Military Training
Camp at Plattsburg.
2 “Proceedings,” July 9, 1938, 24.
3 Ibid., 24.
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