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

The delegate from Paraguay, Garcia Calderon, said that his nation had “far too
few inhabitants” in relation to its “vast territory of extraordinary fertility.” However,
immigration would be limited solely to agriculturists. He also stated that his country
would welcome farmers but would “place strict restrictions on lawyers, doctors and other
professional emigrants.” 34
The Venezuelan delegate, Carlos Aristimuño Coll, likewise expressed his
Government’s appreciation of the “humanitarian motives” of Roosevelt and highlighted
its national tradition of “hospitality.” Although it “eagerly accepted” the invitation to
participate in the Conference the Venezuelan Government recognized that it was
hindered by “certain restrictions” that limited its ability to admit German and Austrian
political refugees. The nation’s absorptive capacity was constrained by immigration laws
and the need to select the proper type of immigrant; i.e. agricultural laborers, who would
not disturb the “demographic equilibrium essential to racial diversity.” Therefore,
refugees could only be admitted via a “rigorously selective” process. 35
Eventually, the
requirement of converting to Catholicism would be added to the list of immigration
requirements.
Virgilio Trujillo Molina, representative of the Dominican Republic and brother
of the dictator Rafaël Leonidas Trujillo y Molina, described FDR’s invitation as a “happy
idea” that deserved the “most sympathetic” reception by all of the “thoughtful and
feeling” peoples of the world. The Conference was faced with the most “urgent and
harrowing problem” which warranted a humane and just solution. Stateless and innocent
34 “Proceedings,” July 9, 1938, 31-32.
35 “Proceedings,” July 9, 1938, 30. Cull served as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in
France.
211