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

providing training facilities geared for the “re-adaptation of life” abroad. The
impoverishment of many of the refugees posed a “major obstacle” to successful
immigration and resettlement. The issue of utilizing Nansen or Nansen-like passports
was also considered. 1
The closing session of the Evian Conference convened on July 15. The
Columbian representative, Jesus Yepes, introduced into the record a memorandum which
reiterated that his country’s willingness to assist German and Austrian refugees
represented a “humanitarian effort inspired by lofty sentiments of international
fraternity.” He disavowed any Columbian attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of
the Reich and any immigrants allowed entry into his nation would have to meet the legal
migration requirements. 2
The Evian Conference Chairman, Myron C. Taylor, returned to the podium to
offer his concluding remarks. He announced that the “serious spirit of cooperation”
among the delegations had created the “machinery” that would lead to the long-term
resolution of the international refugee crisis affecting Central Europe; an operation and
on-going project that would require uninterrupted effort so that the hope of an anguished
mankind would not be “dispelled and their suffering embittered.” The Evian Conference
was only the beginning of a process that would be continued by a permanent body, the
Intergovernmental Committee for Political Refugees from Germany. He warned that lack
of resolve would result in “catastrophic human suffering” which could potentially
provoke “far-reaching consequences in international unrest and strain.” An orderly
1 “Annex II. Report of the Technical Sub-Committee,” “Proceedings,” July 14, 1938, 51-52.
2 J.M. Yepes, “Draft of the Resolution with which it Proposed to Conclude the Present Session of the
Intergovernmental Committee at Evian,” “Proceedings, July 14, 1938, 39-40.
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