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

Chapter 8
Day Six
“Greatest Sympathy”
The fourth public meeting began July 11 with statements from the remaining
delegates which thematically resembled those of their predecessors. Gösta Engzell, the
Swedish representative and director of the legal department in the Foreign Ministry,
acknowledged his nation’s “most liberal” admissions policy but noted that Sweden was
not a state of immigration. As a consequence of local conditions the Government would
have to deal with each refugee as an individual subject to vigorous screening criteria.
Engzell believed that success of the Evian Conference was dependent upon relocation
outside the bounds of Europe. Although the majority of costs would have to be borne by
private organizations governments needed to be prepared to make the necessary
contributions to ensure success. He warned that the broader European Jewish Question
posed the greatest danger and it is in this context that a more definitive solution must be
found. Sweden shared the concern over the “unhappy and often tragic fate” of the
refugees and hoped that the Conference would result in “positive and lasting results.” 1.
However, despite the expression of such humanitarian concerns Sweden (along with
Switzerland and the United Kingdom) introduced visa controls during 1938 as a means of
restricting the entry of Jews. “Political refugees” were viewed as a separate group from
1 “Proceedings,” July 11, 1938, 35.
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