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

creation of minorities of dissimilar origins which would promote “future conflicts.” Peru,
like other nations faced with the potential role of providing haven to political refugees,
must shun a “too hasty mingling of elements” inimical to national “traditions and
ambitions” that posed a danger to national and ethnic stability. He concluded by positing
that a “Europe which is so disturbed must have at least one continent which is free from
hatred and hysteria.” 26
One Peruvian newspaper viewed Jewish émigrés as a threat to the
“solid basis of our Ibero-American identity [and] our Catholic tradition” that must be
avoided. 27 The delegation from Peru had also noted sarcastically that the United States
had established the model to follow regarding its immigration policies: with “caution and
wisdom.” 28
By 1939 approximately 600-2,500 refugee Jews had been admitted into
Peru. 29
The Mexican delegate, Primo Villa Michel, declared that his Government was
“deeply” appreciative of the “generous initiative” of FDR. Mexico had a long tradition
of offering “hospitality” and asylum to political refugees, especially those who were
“afraid for their lives.” The Government was prepared to offer “full freedom and
security” and would render assistance and provide the opportunity to work to involuntary
emigrants within the bounds of Mexican “legal, social and economic possibilities.” Such
26 “Proceedings,” July 9, 1938, 31-32.
27
David Michael Kennedy, Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and
War, 1929-1945 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999), 414.
28 Roy H. Schoeman, Salvation is from the Jews (John 4:22): the Role of Judaism in Salvation History
from Abraham to the Second Coming (Ignatius Press: 2003), 244.
29 “Peru” Jewish Virtual Library 2008 available from
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0015_0_15634.html ; Internet; accessed
September 4, 2010; William D. Rubenstein, The Myth of Rescue: Why the Democracies Could Not Have
Saved More Jews from the Nazis (NY: Rutledge, 1977), 38.
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