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

appeared “anxious not to do anything to offend Hitler…the man who was responsible for
their problem.” 90
David Vital concluded that reticence to discuss the underlying causes of
involuntary emigration, that is, German anti-Semitic policies, essentially provided “an
offer of assistance” to the Hitler regime in its ongoing efforts to render Germany
jüdenrein. 91
There were governments within and outside of Europe, it was believed, who
placed greater import on the preservation of “proper” diplomatic relations with Germany
than on the “lives of individual refugees, however numerous…” The protection of
human rights was subservient to the needs and interests of the State. 92 A Swiss paper
argued that the international delegates were dealing “purely and simply [with] a human
problem…of secondary importance—and on no account” should the quest for a solution
to the refugee crisis harm “normal international relationships.” It would be quite
“unfortunate,” another Swiss paper believed, if the proceedings of the Evian Conference
were perceived to be “directed against Germany.” The sole focus of the meeting had to
be the resolution of the refugee problem and the abatement of the difficulties of the
countries bordering Germany. Since the Reich and its policies were the genesis of the
refugee issue overt censure needed to be avoided to facilitate “behind the scenes”
[German] cooperation. 93 Harry Schneiderman, editor of the American Jewish Yearbook
(1920-1949), however, alleged that the Evian Conference had brought Germany and its
90 William Shirer, Berlin Diary: The Journal of a Foreign Correspondent 1934-1941 (Baltimore, MD:
Johns Hopkins University Press, 1941), 101, 119-120.
91 Vital. A People Apart, 884.
91 L’Impartial, (La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland) July 11, 1938 cited in Katz, “Public Opinion,” 117.
93 L’Impartial July 11, 1938, Journal de Genève July 8, 1938 cited in Katz, “Public Opinion,” 114, 115.
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