._·... ·~ -~ J. L.t; / T'he problem of the Free Ports the refugees fleeing the light of history, showing the c.hangea
refugees and stateless' persons in conformana~. - of the international law. We are now accustomed to the tragic situation of and stateless persons at the time between the two world wars, when men of highest honorability did lase the-ltbe:r>ty-0-f-t:r>avel. and immigration after being deprived of the citizenship in which i they were born; and when thousands of refugees were ¢ondemfe4 -to jail a.a their temporary residence permits in some country expired and they were unable to obtain visas for any other Conditions were very different in the 19th century. Af§er the breakdown of the revolution of 1848, democratic ~ermans .le~i~~ to Switzerland were cordially invited by the Swiss (}overiiJnent to accept Swiss citizenship. When some inhabitants .of DobrudjQ.,
(conce~ed to Roumania after the Russo..,Turkish war oC1878)r ;' '" •' .:- ... - - -' -' such an unheard-of ata.t·e of affairs for. the speciaiiatk ·. :i.r{thEI · - . . . ' . . international law, that this exceptional - a:i..i~atib:n' · had been :; •. · · quoted in all law textMbooks. The only hope o'f'l!l1111ons of stateless and refugees, ring in Europe today is the post.. war eatablishment_of an control of emigration ahd Of issue Of immigratiofr· irisae', idea of such interna;!:-ional. control is accepted by Conference of -----·-- -- ---,.\ The notion of free ports and provisory very old one. In France proclaimed the "Peace of God", . . private wars of the feudal.lords. In theeleventli· this unsuccessful effort was followed by the creation of the "Truce of God, 11 which prohibited all private wars for four days in a weekJ At the same time the practice was introduced, giving strangers the right of shelter in monasteries and abbeys. It was the time when the council of Clermont in 1095 demanded that during war women, priests and peasants shoul.O. pe respected as non .. combattants and spared. The spirit of mediaeval Europe, guided by the conception of an United Christendom ruled by the Holy Roman See in spiritual matters and by the reconstruc ted Holy Roman Enpire in secular matters, favored the freedom of travel. an the eve of the creation of modern national states.'. ' . one of the founders of modern international law, Franciscus .· - ' . . de Victoria, asserted in 1532 that the right of.free ti-ave].> ' --,· and free residence in foreign countries, and of free inter• course between nations is based on the law of nations ~(Jtle · Gentium). Victoria says that the Jue GentiUJ11 "e:i.tl'l.9,r i~~;n~tp_:rli.;L: law or is 'derived from natural law." He considers' that all peo'plea find 1t inhuman to mistreat foreigners, and that frie!'.idly · feelings are deeply rooted in human nature. The "Mare Liberl.lm11 of Hugo Grotius/{, (1609), affirms th~t -,-····- the natione have a natural ::ight for travel, trade, . c6mmun1oat1,6n and freedom of the seas. --:-:·i·-·. -~ - ·: :_ -:· ·;·. _: :\ '.; - ' -_ ~-. :~-- _·-::~): ·- . ·_._-.. :·<~ ... -. 4-{ciJ .. ~1.~ -~c'"-:·~~- ·• · · • ·.. ..."-'·-·C:.·:.::._: --c:..C·~-;":;''·::=- ._·:~·:"-~_·~_;·s· --~1-~~_;y:~_-.-_·;~2.~.·-.r~~f-~sr.·L_;;~.~- ··{_~--~--•_•·.-·....•_:_•_'-.·.~.•-~.,_-.~_:.~ __._:~_-_·_·< ,/. · •· F: · ··•<- . . .'· ·" -~- .._._.·._··.···· ..•• '."' / :• f···:0( •.•. t:-~.-~·J-~,:f. . ~; . ' ~? . ?~ff l-H . <'J\>S· - 3 - ··-:'.. • . •.,·.····-··< '_·-.:.'i' . ·; - ~ ~ ':_;~::· ~ ._._il·y.· Emeric Cruce, in hl.B "r.e Nouveau Cinee," publiah~d iri i62'j~ .lilll~;.~· !:l freedom of travelling and emigration and says i .'iw~t a· plea~~re •1tt···' ~::"::~:~::::::: ::::::~:,::::::::::::;:::::::~~:~:1·i~::.l ··.·I\ 1 after the freedom of migrations in 19th the 20th showed us the oentu~y, ce····.·.n_:_•. _._·_t_:·_-.u.·r····.··.y·.·· ....-_·_,- ....·,.··· ._·····:······1'_i__ . tragic consequences of the_ policy .of cl'osed A_qbrs. _ _ __ 1 In ~the period between 1919 and 1939, the. ldea of ahelt-ers· I sometimes assumed very ugly forms. When the Armenian and Russian refugees searched desperately for visas, some countries agreed. tl -fl t,o give them right of residence in one strictly difined district - i\ only. About 100 such refugees were· confined on the Greek island l of Syros, in conditions of-,.~xtreme misery. Mr· Michael Ha~s~o11, President of the Governing Body of the Nansen Inte~natlo~al Ornoe : :-; ! 01 •Ill League of N,itfonS ten~ us 11rhGb~i>kf;t;'~~~,;\jj~~~"'~i0"'1' ON THE ISLAND OF SYROS, 11 about long years innocent people, out off from the hope of further~w.~~.~·~ and living ~he life of such as are sentenced to (see Appendix). It is vitally necessary to see that t.he idea of free ports - and proviaory shelters should not be allowed to degenerate into forms resembling those described by Mr· Hansson• Not only must. the residents of these shelters enjoy complete freedom in day•time, as is the arrangements in the camps for refugees in Switzerland. It is most important that t.he first steps for an international organization of migrations should be taken, that visas and the possibilities of emigration should be prepared for these people by a contact" of the diplomatic services of United States, Great Britain and other United Nations with those of the countries of ~. ,-• eventual immigration. Before the great idea of an international direction of immigration, sponsored by the Delaware conference is realized, the treat Powers can and must obtairi0f'or·thej,r disposal ~ertain number of visas, to be used for humanitari~npur:ppsesa,ri.d for settlement of refugees and victims of persecution• initiative of the Great Powers could be of great use in the countri~s bordering on Nazi-occupied ~urope will for temporary admission of new refugees; the hope for the.ir set tlement will be strenghtened by the fact of the •stablishment of the J.l'ree Ports and of preparation of visas for a further definite emigration. lome of the refut§ees will ·be able to return to their hq~e" ·· after the oonolus1on of the peace, but it is as determine how big their' Il.l.imber Then began a truly painful task, an incessant struggle, to find homes for these people, who had already undergone .·such hard ship. Forced to abandon their homes and country, they had lost all· their possessions, and having at last, after long years of privation and suffering of every description, found relative security, they I had once again been driven away. At Syros they lived the life of such as a.re sentenced to deportation. They were deprived of the I right to work and of all means of existence, and they had not the . i slightest idea,W what .I their final destination would be. The_Nanaen i. Office grants them the strictly indispensable financial assistance { which allows them to exist. The depressing effect of enforced · ·, idleness on human beings, under such t humiliating conditions, may t easily be imagined! ; The Greek Government, who have always shown such comprehension in refugee matters, authorized about twenty of these refugees to establish themselves definitely in Greece ·- a very generous deci sion seeing that that country is, from an economic point of view, little favoured by nature and is, besides, overrun by large numbers of Greek, Russian and .Armenian refugees. Nineteen othess were admitted to Norway where the authorities ·. undertook to care for them up to the time when the majority would be able to earn their living. Sweden, likewise, accepted ten on.• the Same conditions. QUi te recently, nlne others were .transferl'e(j. South America, at their request, and at the e:apene.e of ;.the Nansen Office. · ~ · · · At the time of writing these lines, there are still. sixteen. of these refugees on the island. The Greek Goye~nmen:b, who.have " . been f:S.t.1ent for so long, are in their right in insisting up()n the evacuation of these people. But what is to be their des.tination? The Office has applied in vain to one Government after another. It has appealed for contributions in cash for the. maintenance of these unfortunate people, or eventually for their transfer to south A.glerica. The Danish and Swedish Governments, inro ·years ago, each granted the Nansen.Office an a.mount of 20,000 crowns in favour of these refugees. Other countries have refused all liel.p. · ·_.-c.-:·:··.,_;.•. ~A_P-'P_E.....,N_D___ I __x_. _;·_,(.._,c_o_n~td_·...... )'----_\,' -. ,- -- ~ _-: Such then is the state of affairs in this ~tu~yi , ~e~> c:.-~} two-thirds of the surface of the earth is uninhabited, a hand*'til ,- ._ of men who, as far as it has been possible to ascertain;/ .hEiv'eJ)?'()ken_ no law, do not enjoy the most elementary- of a.11 huilla.n.rights·, th,~ right to exist, and still less the right to earn their living as others do. · One may, however, ask whether these "outlaws" at Syros. are 111.ot favoured beings if one compares their lot_ with that of so many of · · their fellow-countrymen, perpetually hunted from one country to another after having, in many cases, passed long months in.prison for failing to obey expulsion orders for the simple reaso:n that no other country would accept them. That, however, is another story, .one that belongs to the chapter. dealing with the greatest social· scandal of present times. .,1 -_, ' - ~ StP 12~1945 / Dear Mr. Pat: / Ae you may know, the War Refugee Board will be dissolved on- September 15ih. Because of your deep interest in the work of the Board, l a~ sending you herewith for your oonf1denUal 1ntormat1on a oopy of the Hmmary report of its activities. lt was only through the cooperation of the private agencies that it was possible for the -Board to or1ng some measul"e ot relief and hope to the sufferlng v1ct1ms of Nazi oppression. l wish; there fore, to take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of the Board for the support and ass18tanoe reJ'ldered by your organization to this unique bullianitarian undertaking. Sincerely yours, (Signed) Wt1li'lm O'Dwyer William O'Dwyer Exeol.ltive Dlreotor Mr. Jacob Pat, Executive S,ecre~ary, Jewish Labor Oomm1ttee, 176 East Broadway, New York 2, ff. Y. Enclosure. FH:hd 9/5/45 '-·'-- -.. . -· r.---· .. · Dear r.less1·e. Held and Dubinsqa With referen~~ to the exhibit too~ on April 19th in OODllllemoretton of the heroic revolt of the Warsaw ghetto in 1943, I sincerely appreciate the invitation given me toaddrees the opening of the e2Mbit and regret exoeedinglytJ!at 1t ~ill be impossible for me to be present. The superhuman courage With wh1oh these 1118rt)'l'a. detied their diabolic opp:ressore against overwhelming odds tdll long move the souls of free men evei"yWhere and qUicken the hearts of other victims of persecution and enslavement. It is X'ight alid titting that their impa$aioned protest against pas•iv~ submission to the Nazi outrages and indignities should be commemoreted, Md 1 feel it an honor to be able to appear as a sponaor or the commemorative exhibit antt thus psy personal t?'ibute to these valiant heroes aJld their tragic glor,y. Sincerely yours, William ' Mr. Adolph Held, Cheil'lllan, Mr. David Dubini;ky .Treasurer, Jewish Labor Committee,1 175 Broadway, New York 2, New York. EBT:inp 3/23/45 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear Messrs. Held and Dubinsky: _,,,.,,_ I Wish to thank you for your ~ent letter con. cerning the exhibit to open on ~6ii~l9th in commemora tion of the heroic revolt of l1e enslaved Jews of the Warsaw ghetto in 1943. I s cerely appreciate your invitation to address the pening of the exhibit and toregret be present. exceedingly that will be impossible for me The heroic rev~{ of those enslave~ i~ the Warsaw ghetto deserve7the commemoration and hon.or which is. being accorded by our splendid action. Sincerely yours, / I William O'Dwyer / Executive Director / / Mr. Adolph Held, Chairman, Mr. David Dubinsky, Treasurer, Jewish Labor Committee, · 175 Broadway, New York 2, N. Y. - ""·~--~ ,_ ___ _ ..•.·.· I Jewish 175 EAST BROADWAY' f. ·: ~· .. ··· .... i f_ NEW YORK .2. N. Y. ADOLPH HBLD, Chairman o@!l!!io 3 93 ]OSBPH BASK.IN1 St&r1JJar1 DAVID DUBINSKY, Trem1tt1r JACOB PAT, Exec111iv• S1rr1tdr1 March 2o, 1945 N. CHANIN, Chairman, . Office Committee .. ·' V ice.Chair'men J. BRESLAW N.OIANIN Miss Florence Hodell M. COHEN War Refugee Board I. FBINBBRG B. GBBINBR Washington, D. c. I. H. GOLDBERG P. L. GOLDMAN R. GUSKIN Dear Miss Hodell: J. HOCHMAN L. HOLI.ANDBR E. ]ESHURIN I h~ve __spokim today__to (,t,.e..n.. William O'Dwi~·the B.KAPLAN Executive Director of the W.R.B., in reference to an in• . M.KUDISH vitation which the Jewish Lapor Committee ,/over the s;g-:- / A. MILLBR I. MINKOFF natures of Messrs. Adolph Held and David Dubinsky, Chair- · N. M ..MINKOFF man and Treasurer, respectively, of our org8:nizat1on1. · I. NAGLBR sent to him on February 28th, asking him to address ube ]. S. POTOFSKY opening of our exhibit on Thursday evening, April 19th, s. RzFK!N at the Vanderbilt Ga11ery, 215 West 57th Street, N.Y.C. ]. ROBBRTS Gen. 0' Dwyer told me that the invitation sent t:o him. ]. SCHLOSSBERG 1 S. SHORB fromat the your War office.Refugee Board, had riot been directed to him · ·~·:. ,, ]. WBINBBRG M. WBINSTBIN M. Zl.JtrrSKY He expressed regret that he could not be present CH. ZIMMERMAN with us on that date. When I suggested that he, never l theless, send a message or sympathy for the heroes and . I L. AruaN, Boston martyrs who died in the Wru:•saw ghettos at the hands of H. BERGBR, Philadelphia ]. BBRNSTBIN, Detroit the Hitlerites, he said that I refer this matter to Y()U M. BIAL1s, Chicago and that he would take it up with you upon his arrival ·1 · ]. BLUME; Boston in Washington, in a day or so. S. CAPLAN, Baltimore B. COHBN, St. Louis The General also agreed to conEiide:ration A. W. KATOVSKY, Oeveland g1v~ A. KmzNBR, Toronto to the question Of his Sponsoring this unusual event~~> .. ]. LBVIIT, Los Angeles . .__ - ~--~·-.. ~; _-. ;.• - ..-~;.'.~::: .. {,_~_:_-_,- .. L. LBVY, Los Angeles .>f I herewith enclose an Outll~e ~:f' the ecop~ of T. MB1sBL, Mexico the exhibi tion1 to give you a better idea of our pro•· S. 0SHRY, Pittsburgh gram in connect:ion with this project. M. RUBINSTEIN, Montreal B. SHANB, Montreal ]. SIEGBL, Chicago I remain, Trusting to hear from you as early as possible, H. TURK, Baltimore ]. WBISBBRG, Cleveland Sincerely yolirs, .. . . ~::::. ,; u LIO_ REL•;_r~".S, ---- ''"'" -- --fr<~N "'-"' •'"'''";::;_~ i "'""' --mr'" --· --~-- :.-,-_, ...... , ~:·~·~=rz~~~~~~~~:~60·+~~~;p:~~;~~~f±~~~i,f!;. ... ·_[_~·. .-;:;. MARf'.YRS AND HiROES OF THE GHIDTTOS :._;.., .•. An ltxhibition Dedicated to the Seoond Anniversapy of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprtaing. ~===::======~======~======~=====~===~ Prepared by: - JIDWISH LABOR COMMITTEE ~ 1?5 ~ast Broadway New YoEk 2, N. Y, ======?== The primary thelne of this exhibit will be to display dra.matfo- ' ' I •. I a::_)_y the story of Jewish pe~aeduti&n under l'Jllzism, t>tlth particular . emphasis on the martyred Jew& of th~ Warsaw ghetto and their hei>o1c 1 re sistanoe. To thh ehd; the exhibit \.rill feature a collection of amazing photographs and other visual mate:rJ-al portraying Nazi 'a.tro;..; cities against the Jew3 of Europe. It will be thecaJmof the exhibf# to impre as on the American public at large tpe bruta.1+ty .and tfis r uthle sane as with whi oh the Nazi a have undertaken~· In sunport of this primary the111e 1 the exhibit w.111 . .1riolud~ suoporting material which will establish the fact that~Jewish re$-1stL ance to Naz1sm is ·an issue of world concern,;-· Th.is materiai•wtl,1 .. depict the contributions Of the Jewish people; ;Will the Nazi plan is directed· not only .-.----0 .._O--';--.·· ··' 2 peoples of the world; w111 1 finally, throughout the worl~ Th~ oontuni ty of the ~xhibi t will be aa SYNOPSIS I - Jewish Culture in Modern Life A. Jewish Contributions to Human Cultlire Philosophy Religion L:l.terature LE.ngue.ge Art So.t?nce CommPrce Labor B. Jewish Culture in the E;urope of the Twentieth Century' - ·This section will stress the fact that Jews in l!;urope lived a tyPical community life participat ing in ty·;:i·.:ial cu:•.tural s.nd vocational1 pursuits, and accepting full community responsibilities. This will be conveyed through pictures of PPople OrgRni zatione CP.:- '.0:7:.)t) :_p t3 Sohc~la and Institutions OthPr community activities II - The Nazi Ail!l fN" World Dol!lination A. Against existing religion Anti- Cai:;hclic Ant;_ .. Cn:•it.Giah A!1 ~l--S-";n\ te For Paganism B. Against Other People ·~· Anti-·French Anti--N'.?g:r>o An t 1.--P us ~~le.n Ant:._ .• [;:.:n:~tP Ari ti···Il:'.' .1• !; 1sh An':: "L· .;,1;1-n• i can Anti--:Po'lish For the Herrenvolk --- ' -- --'-.-~ __ ;;__ --- ""~~·-'-....·- ~----"'--·- C. Against O~her · ~moerat1a·· For Nazism. III - Nazi ~xtermination of 5 000 000 1 1 Ghettos Beatings Burnings Concentration Campa Hostages Destruction throughl Bombs Gas Chambers Crematoria Anti-Jewish Camoaigns through: NE>wspapPra 11 SciPncP 11 Laws IV - Jewish Resistance A. The MPn B. The Tools c. The Action The material in this part of the exhibit will consist largely of photographs and othPr docu mentary evidence of thP battle of Warsaw; V - New Life A. RFconstruction B. JFwish Labor CommitteP Demands. Upon United Nations' ConfP.rPnce VI - Dedication to the Martyrs and HFroee of thP. Warsaw Ghf!ttd .. ,.; - ·•·· . . afoe /23076 ebb .Jewish .~ NEW YORK 2, N. Y'; AooLPH HBLD, Chairm411 JosBPH BASKIN, Secretar7 DAVID DUBINSKY, Treas11rn JACOB PAT, Exec111ive S1&r Vice-Chairmen February 28, 1945 J. BRESLAW N. CHANIN M. CoHBN Honorable I. FEINBBRG William O'Dwyer, B. GBBINBR ..Executive Director, I. H. GoLDBBRG War Refugee Board, P. L. GOLDMAN Washington, D. c. R. GuSKJN ].HOCHMAN Dea.r Mr, L. HOLLANDER O'Dwyer; E. JBSHUBIN On B.KAPUN the occasion of the secon anniversary M. KUDISH ful April of that fate-·. 19th, in 1943, when the persecuted, A. Mn.I.BR slaved Jews of··the stal'ved, ell'"' I. MINKOFF Warsaw ghetto rad seized ammunition and weapons and · N. M. MINKOFF launched a most heroic Nazi tormentors, revolt against their I. NAGLER and died as a glorious symbol 1 J. S. POTOFSKY resistance to tyranny of man s and slavery, the Jewish Labor S. RIFKIN is organizing a grand exhibition. Committee J. ROBERTS 19th, It will open on April 1945 at the Vanderbilt Gallery, J. SCHLOSSBERG New York, 215.W. 57th Street, S. SHORB New York. · J. WEINBBRG The valiant M. WBINSTEIN struggle in the Warsaw ghetto M. ZARITSKY be remembered and commemorated will always CH. all over the world ZIMMERMAN tragic, unprecedented, and outstanding as a most .• history of civilization. event in the long L. ARKIN, Boston · · · ·· H. BnRGBR, Philadelphia The exhibition which we plan to J. BERNSTEIN, Detroit primarily at present is aimed, M. Burn, dispalying the growth of the J. BLUME, Chicago destruct ion of more Nazi. evil, th,e Boston than five million Jews,. and s.CAPuN,Baltimore displayed by the the her.Olsm · B.CoHnN,St.Louis martyrs in the fight for freedom T exhibit will consit of authentic •. · jle A. w. KATovsKY, c1eve1an~rams, photographs, doctµnents, and pi ct orgraphs which were ~l~'."'" ..•... A.KmzNBR,Toronto I.tabor Committee .received ·by thlf J:ewrsh •· ·· ·.. J. LEVITT, Los Angeles · from various sources~ L. LEVY Los Angeles I T.MErs~L,Mexico t is · s.osHRv,Pittsburgh needless to say that our organization · . · · its greatest efforts to is lending M.RUBmmm,MontreaJ character. give the exhibit a most monumental To give this event the B.SHANB,MontreaI serves, the prominence it duly de• J.SrnGEL,Chicago Jewish Labor Committee is taking of respectfully inviting the liberty H.WErsa•na TURK, Baltimore t you to be one of a limited 1 Cleveland mo st ou standing Ame:cican13 h i . number of · ' on Thursday to address t e open ng f. th. · hib~+ evening, April 19th.; o · · e ex ·. .· ~_.. ~ . •••••• Hon. William 01 t>Wyer, E;x:ecutive Director, February 28 1 1Q45 . War Refugee Board, · . · (P.age .Ne>• 2)> ..... · Washington, D. c. possible, since we ~ould like to start printing our program and prepare the other necessary facilities asfor possible. making our project as successful and as worthwhile Sincerely yours, .. JEWISH .LABOR COMMITTEE ~~~Adolph Held CHAIRMAN ·~~ David Dupinsky ·· / TREASURER P.s. -- We are sure that you will be most happy to lend your name to a list of distinguished sponsors, in order to most effectively spotlightethe event on .a national scale. ·· afoe230?6/t. ·-- "· .- ~-- ·---; . . ; ·- -,,_ ____ ·., .. Of MARfYRS AND H'ROES OF THID An Exhibition Dedicated to the Second of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. ------~ ------Prepared by: JIDWISH LABOR COMMITTEE 1?5 liiast Broadway New York 2,.N.Y. ------ The primary theme of this exhibit will be to display dramatfo a::.:1.y the story of Jewish persecution unde~ Nazism, w,ith particular e:nphasis on the martyred Jews of thP Warsaw ghetto and their heroic; / resistance. To this end, the exhibit will feature a collection bf . i amazing photographs and other visual material portraying Nazi a:tr.c:i~ - .-_I, cities against the- Jewa of Europe~ It win be; th~ aim <.>t the to impress on the American public at large the bvutality-and. the : - .. -_ . '~ ~- - . - ruthlessness With Which the Nazis have und~rtaken to exte~miri~te· the ' - -, .:· ,:-,- •..C:r • ;, • ~' Jews; the heroism With Which the Jews hav~ att'e-~ted' to r:esi~t; t~ > < necea~¥ity for prompt and effective aid to those Je_ws who st1n>sJx.:ri~e .. · In suoport of this primary theme, the exhibit will inclu(\e suoporting material which will establish the fact that Jewish res-1$y.;; < ance to Nazism is an issue of world 'concern. This niaterf~t t.lhi '. - -. . - - . ·- depiot the contributions of the Jewish people; Ii the Nazi plan is direote4 not onl.~}~ai°st t.h~ ',~.:!:,~ut aga;;~;;.J,1,~•;•;i'i'GWJ•,;>c"'•'""""i' ... -...... ,_._ •.. r· f . '·, --,[ ' ·-. ,_.:;> :- •. '/:.r .. , c•t- ·""=-...... _.,;; ...... _....._"""""'--'~~"'-'-"--..:'"'--.....::...o..;.;.;,-"-'-'~-'--'----',,,..;-·-"-'·..,_,____ -- -"o1~~ -,_- 2 t:>eoples of the worlq; wip, Jews thro~the world. " The cont unity of the SYNOPSIS I - Jewish Culture in Mode:rn Life A. Jewish Contributions to Human CultU:r~· Philosophy Religion Literature Language Art Science CommPrce Labor B. Jewish Culture in the l!iurope of the Twen.tieth Century This section will stress the fact that Jews in. 1£urope lived a tyPical community life, participat ing in tYPioal cultural and vocational pursuits, -I and accepting full community responsibilities. This will be conveyed through pictU:rea of PPople l Organizations . {-. ··.,. CPrPm.:miE' s - ._} Schools and Institutions ···.· l OthPr community activities \ II - The Nazi Aim for World Domination. A. Against existing religion Anti-Catholic Ant i-Chi•i st ian Anti-S0 mlte For Paganism B. Against Other People Anti-French Anti-Negro Anti-Russian An ti...-8r>mi tP Anti-British Anti-American Ant i.:.Po1i sh For the Her~envolk ----_-·-o<'"• ,.--•- ·~· 3 c. Against Other Fqrma Anti-Democratic For Nazism Nazi l!;xtermination of 5,ooo,bo.O JPws· Ghettos BPatings Burnings ConcAntration Camps Hostages Destruction through: Bombs Gas Chambers Crematoria Anti-Jewish Campaigns through: NewspapPrs 11 SciPnCP 11 Laws IV - Jewish Resistance A. The MPn B. ThP Toole c. The Action The material in this part of thP exhibit will COriSist largely Of photographs and othPI' -.. ,_._.-_ afoe/23076 ebb j ';_l .. .r Now \Urk Post ·;. '~ -f \.~ f ~- JAN 9 1945 ;./' Jewish Labor Committee 9uifS· _-- Conference Over Red Group· ·---· -· ThP Jewish Labor Commitler drawn from the American Jew- Communist organi7.ation, it vlas which represents some 500.000 · ish Conference in protest aglllnst : learned today. - AFL and C'/O members, has with-, the admission to that council of a The American Jewish Confer- ence was set up .in 1943 to co ordinate the activities of national Jewish organizations. The Com munist group to which the Labor Committee objected is the Jewish section of the International Work· ers Order. This IWO group, although de nied membership in 1943, was ad mitted at the Conference's second an11ual session held last Dec. 3 in Pittsburgh. Pamphlet Lists Charges Withdrawal of the Labor Com- - mittee, of which Adolph Held is chairman and David Dubinsky treasurer, -was made public in a pamphlet published today. The committee's booklet, dis tributed only to its members, charged: "The Jewish Labor Committee has more than once presented evidence to the Amerl_can Jew~· h Conference with regard to "' demoralizing activities of 1e 'Communists, their destru_ctive n- fluence and their frequent oe trayals of purely Jewish interests; as well as workers' Interests in general. _ · The Communists have, dur ing tfte past 25 years, done their utmost ·to. break up and de moralize the-Jewish labor organ· izatlons, to spread the most das tardly lies about organizations, institutions and. labor foaders. :1 .They endeavored to split unions, to wreck the Workmen's Circle ~ MEMORANDUM FOR THE FILES General O'Dwyer telephoned Mr. Pat today in connection with the attached letter and cable. General O'Dwyer stated that the program mentioned by Dr. Scherer for the delivery . of food to persons in concentration camps and their eva.cua tion by truck" from Germany to Switzerland is the program Of the War Refugee Board and that the details of the program · are almost complete. With respect to the matter of exchange., involving Jews in Germany for German civilians in areas occupied by the Allies, General 0 1Dwyer advised that we have no information. As to the help requested in connection with the going to Germany of 11 a prominent person from Switzerland 11 , the. General stated that there was not sufficient information in the cable to advise us what help was called for. He sug;ested to Mr. Pat that he arrange to have his representa tive in Switzerland get in touch at once with McClelland and give all details to him which would in turn be reported to·. the Board. Mr. Pat advised the General that he would do this. ,!-.I ,' ~F. Hodel -:,,._- -~· <-~--···- -::..-;..''- -._ .. ·_ :{;,;;.,· Tl-iE PRESl[)ENT'S•• Dear Mr. O'Dwyer: I am :forwarding hererlth a letter :from . Mr. Pat o:f the Jewish Labor Committee which came to us apparently in error. James Brunot, Executive Director Enclos~e .ur. William O'Dwyer, Executive Director, War Re.t'ugee Board, 11'ashillgton, D. C. • .. ·.· - .Jewish· Labor ComD1ltte'e, 115 EAST BROADWAY NEW YORK 2, N. Y• AooLPH, HELD, Chairman ...... JOSEPH BASKIN, Se DATE: March 6, 1945 In accordance with authentic reports and on the basis of ence with competent a persons in Switzerland, I want to in:form the following: you about There are new possibilities to rescue Jews immediately by deliver ies of foodvand medicaments to the concentration oam:ps in Germany through· the International Red Cross, as well as by taking Jews out of Germany and bringing them temporarily to Switzerland or Sweden. Washington's _,_i intervention is necessary as far as bringing the camps help to · is conoerned. At tne presem; ti!lle such deliveries a),'e impossi ble oe~ use OI the l~3k of gas,the blockade,etc. Ihere is e possibility of bringing large numbers of Jews from Germany into Switzerland in exchange for German civilians who are living on Gexa1an now territory that has been occupied by •the Allies. lt would also be advisaole to guarantee Switzerland\deliever1es of additional food for the new arrivals, which would last 'throughout. their stay there. I am in constant contact with the representati.vei-of land's Jewry. Tiiey have promised to support this plan, which· is endent and iri,de·Ji~c of a wider scope than the action of the Agudah Mr. Musy. through A prominent person :frcxn Switzerland is going matter. tb.~rmahyin thiS ; Please obtain the consent \ ·of Washington and, througbWashington the \ consent of London, because with out I --_ c:;___. - -- such approval . - · the·_ \ realization- this . · . -.'o.:f plan is impossible• , i ! ,pu11- afl.l -- - -- '.,, ----~---~~- --·-. - ._ .:_-::;i;:~-~-~~?2:~- st'ringa .- - Thi~·"'fs ~tli~:*i1.~'~f'";ri8'~~nf :_>:::;~~-~:~:~~i-~ ! : ·1 ~ i --· -~-'·-:-~;/··-~--- • 2 PeriQulum in mora. Cable Professor Hersch ly care of Polish Embassy. Jef·ish. Labor C~mmittee ~kii , .und for Work'in ·Ei,ir9 __ e;.;· ·. . . ·•• . ... ___ , ;?v:·.- - . e .Jewish .Labor··: Committee, ·:,,,..:.,:=_ representing. Jewish trade · urilons : r"! -·.··,,..:(.__ affiliated with· the Ame?icaii Fed ·.1 _, eration of Labor and the.-Congress of Industrial :organizations, · has launched a campaign for $1,o00,000 to help ~inanC<1 the work:Of·resctie, relief and recoiistniction hi'_Eiirope and :lritent!fy the'"iitni.ggle"' agafJist raci@i;fuf.o1er&nee ::&n4. aiti~seinit,. ism, ;_it.was annouii~dj'est.erday !.>Y -·.. Adolphc.Ueld, Chalnilan.. of:the · .. 1:'- "!1.g;:·~~~;~;;k{J;;~~·~i • -'.'.\« Intern t!onal.. · lAdieii "l"-0 · Work •· Union;·headed·by·D · · Dub , have undertaken·to r $150,0 . -of the •tou,u,·BQUght:.C . ·-- ';.· .~ _,'\c ~::. - "'-.:: - . ... I WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRE."TARY WASHINGTON, D. C, 4 January 194 5 Mr. J.w. Pehle, Executive Director, Executive Office of the President, War Refugee Board, Washington 25, D.c. Dear Mr. Pehle1 I have your letter of December 29, 1944, enclosing a copy of a telegram of December 27 from the Jewish1 Labor Committee requesting advice as to steps being taken to re move Jews from areas in Belgium and Luxembourg that are in danger of being overrun by the Germans. I I The Supreme Commander, Allied .b:xpeditionary Forces, has advised us that evacuation of civilians from forward areaa to rear towns is being continued. It is believed that he is i;aking all possible steps, consistent with military operatiorte, to pro tect helpless civilians from the perils of German1 aggression and. persecution. We are glad to get the views of the Jewish Labor Committee and believe you may assure the Committee that refugees, dis placed persons and other endangered elements of the civilian population will be evacuated from battle areas whenever military necessity permits this to be accomplished. Sincerely yours, JOHN ~ Assistant Secretary of War. - DEC 291Q.W Dear Mr. .lrcOloya There is mclosed tor YOUl" consideration a copy -of a telegr&111 I have Just received .from the Jowieh Labor GolDlllittee conoem1ng the plight of the survi'Ying J nieh population 1n BelgiWD and L\&XtNllboo~ and aaklng that steps be taken to remove these J eq from the path of the German army. This matter 1e called to your · attention deaplte the obvious difficulties involved 1n the act1on requested.· I would appreciate being advised of the War Department•• reaction to the enclosed requ.. t. Very truly yours, f!ji©let'!} d'o V. Peh'.\c< J. w. Pehle Extoutiv. Director Honorable J_ohn J. MaOloy, Assistant Secretary of War, waah1ngton, D. a. Enclosure. -- -:--f_, =:_--:_~,,,.-~-- -,; FH: hd 12/28/44 c 0 p y WU37 DL PD WUX P'bN NEWYORK NY DEC 27 231P 1944 JOHN W PEBLE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WAR REFUGEE BOARD WASHDC GRAVELY CONCERNED FATE OF SURVIVING JFJIISH POPULATION Ill BELGIUM AND LUXEMBOURG,. PRESS CARRIED REPORT OF PLANS OF LOCAL QUIELINGE TO ANNIHILATE ALL REMAINING JEWS IN THE EVENT THESE COUNTRIEE. ARE AGAIN TEMPORARILY OVERRUN BY NAZI HORDES. SPECIAL POSITION OF THESE JEWE JUSTIFIES SINGULAR ATTENTION TO REMOVE THW FRa.i POSSIBLE DANGER~. WE PRAY THAT THIS BE DONE IN TIME, BEFORE THE CONSCIENCE OF CIVILIZED HUMANITY WILL BE FURTHER BURDENED WITH 'l1IE ACCUSATION OF BEING TOO LATE. AT THIS MCMENT, THE MINDS AND HEARTS OF Al;L DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE ARE RIVETED TO THE FATEFUL BATTLES BEING WAGED BY OUR HEROIC ARMED FORCES IN 'J.'HOSE COUNTRIES. WE PRAY FOR THEIR SUCCESS, AND FOR THE SPEEDY DEFEAT OF THE BRUTAL EIID!Y. WE RESPECTFULLY EUR.UT THAT THE SAVING OF THE JEWS WHO ARE IN IMMINENT DANGER OF TOTAL EXTINCTION WOULD BE A MIGHTY BL JEWISH LABOR COMMITTEE 175 EAST 'BNAY NYK ADOLPH HELD, CHAIRMAN; !)AVID DUBINSKY, TREASURER; JOSEPH BASKIN, SECRETARY; JACOB PAT, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY. " _.-•ifif"'. DEC 291QI. Gentlemen a I have received your telegram of December 27, 1944, oonoerning the fate of the surviving Jewish population in [ Belgium and Luxembourg. I I wish to aseure you that this Government 18 taking t every possible and practicable step to meet the situation you describe. i BinoereJi yours, J. w. Pehle Exeoµtive Director Jewish Labor Committee, 175 &let Broadway, New York, N. Y. FH:hd 12/27/44 OFRCE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Gentlemen~ I h·ave received your telegre.m ~f be(lember ?'!,: . . 1944, concerning the fate of the survivtng Jevrish: p6pula-" -· tion in ~elgium and Ltixembourg. · · · I wish to assure you that this .Government taking every possible and practicable step ~:'Jrni4-s.fteff&-'. lMl=l tAe s 1 1cc 0 ss..f>.~. J3l! &aetabion ·e:f _t:b Jewish Labor Committee, 175 East Broadway, New York, N. · Y. '. ..' I f1 "'F'''''c I - ·, ..... · .. ,¢-_ ~~4-- •. I~ NEW YOBB: 2. N. Y. AooLPH HBLD, Chairmat1 "'8P••• ]OSBPH BASKIN, Secretar7 DAVID DUBINSKY, TreaJ•rer JACOB PAT, Exe_c11tiv~ S"r11ay N. CHANIN, Chairman, December 23, 1944 Office CommiJJee Vice-Chairmen ]. BBBSI.Aw N. CHANIN Mr. John w. Pehle, Executive Director M. CoHBN War Refugee Board J. FBINBBRG Washington, B. GBBINBR D. C. I. H. GOLDBBRG P. L. GOLDMAN I R.GUSKIN Dear Mr. Pehle: J. HOCHMAN ! L. HoLLANDBR Yesterday l E. we received the following telegram ]BSHURIN Sylwin strakaoz, from B.KAPLAN Polish Consul General in New York: M.KUDISH 11 IN REPLY A. MrLLBR TO THE CABLE OF THE Jli:WISH LABOR COMMITTEE TO I. MINKOFF THE PREMIER OF THE POLISH GOVERNME.NT N. M. MINKOFF CONCERNING THE REQ.UEST MADE BY THE JEWISH LABOR COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL I. NAGLER CROSS ABOUT PROVIDING RED ]. S. POTOFSKY HELP FOR THE JEWS I1'1 NAZI CONOENTRA- TION CAMPS IN POLAND S. RIFKIN THE POLISH FOREIGN MINISTER WISl{i:S TO . ]. RoBBRTS INFORM YOU THAT THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS DOES NOT POSSESS ]. SCHLOSSBBRG ADEQUATE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO PURCHASE SUCH PRODUCTS STOP S. SHOBB THE INCREASE OF ASSISTANCE J. WBINBERG TO POLAND IS POSSIBLE ONLY .IF THE NECESSARY FUNDS .. M. WBINSTBIN WILL BE SuPPLIED TO THE INTEFlNATIONAL . . M. ZAl!rrsKY RED cross IN SWITZERLAND STOP THE ONLY BODY TO RECEIVE WHICH IS EMPOWERED CH. ZlMMBRMAN AID FROM ABROAD AND TO DISTRIBUTE SUCH AMONG POPULATION IN THE . • THE TERRITORY OF THE GENERAL. GOUVERNMENT IS L. ARKIN, Boston THE COUNCIL FOR ASSISTANCE (RADA GLUWNA OPIEKUNCZA) STOP- . H. BBRGER, Philadelphia THE JEWISH POPULATION IS ]. BBRNSTRIN, RECEIVING ASSISTANCB:. ON EQUAJ;:... BASIS Detroit WITH OTHERS FROM THE ABOVEMENTIONED M. BIALIS, Chicago ORGANIZATION" ' . · - . - ]. BLUME, Boston - - -. ·,_ s. CAPLAN, Baltimore 1 You will re oall that on November 14th we habfed B. CoHBN, the International "St. Louis Red Cross in Geneva, rf)questing' that_· A. w. KATOVSKY, Oeveland international . body to provide food, medloa], supp].i(t~ A. KmzNBR, Toronto other assistance to the 1 ;(ll}d, ,,_. ~ ]. LEVITT, Los Angeles thousands of survivfog Jews Uitet>ned' in/ concentration and L. LEVY, Los Angeles labor camps in Nazi..;oooupied Poland~ .· · T. MEISEL, Mexico We sent a Oot:JY of this cable London, to the PolishGov~~nmerit in' S. 0SHRY, Pittsburgh askihg them to intervene in behalf of. our M. R with appeal UBINSTBIN, Montreal the International Red Cross. .- B. SHA.NB, Montreal · · · · . , . . ]. SrnGBL, Chicago ~' . At the end of November, we received H. Turuc, Baltimore the International a reply from. ]. WBISBBRG, Cleveland Red Cross, asking us to submit a list of the camps; and in which ,tMy stated that 11 of these upon receipt· .....· .. particulars we shall investigate whether responsible authorities will , oon-sent to scheme proposed•" The Jewish ·.· ,---- .-.-._.","7•'2',';:,;;;,;~'''"c'"''c~:.;_c,"';2~'·:~.. .-\--->.'·., , .._J.·.• ?\··-,~-:_\~-~~~-~:~ ,, -;r;;-:-=-'. .. ~-::_-' ·-- ·><.?-~':i-:~-~:~;; -.-. -- ,_-,~--· --->·~:;:~ ~:----- ~,:/ -~-:i)--:::_~:_ -:-: ~:.:r·-_:.~~:-_ ··· \t7 .·_:/ -, <\''..-- ~·- .. ·-_-x.;,:..j~: '.}Ji~_.·:.<··· tj/-' -. --- . ::·,-~~: __ -.- :·~_, .. -...-. -. -~ - . • /i~L. -0 ..•- -- :> ;1--~--- ._- -•- ' ; ;' ,!ii' "': T ''",~~~, l \")i};~~;: ~~~~~e~~m~;!~!~ :; ~~;~ ~~~;~:li~1 $4~;m~~£,f~~i~ff1~·,,~>~-~, ., -··:~~\j J' .. ,·.· -.· O••k.•" . Laszow near Cracow, Stalowa Wola ·. Miei~6; ~~~~k9'W~ ;_\>D. ">'?' ,·-~ ;1._ Czesntochowa, Piotrkow) Radom, S~arac. how···· io,e,>Sktµ"~~lf... ek·o·_·,..····•.: •< . .-·i . -.••·•) i Kamienna, Krasnik, Budzyn, Blizyn, • Pionk.i~ _·, . - < ~<·F/o .> - · 1 Almost a month has elasped since we sub~itte~ < •. , <>', ·... j our list,, but no reply has been received to date. Upori< .· reoeipt of the telegram from the Polish Cons!,11 Gerier~1; • · Sylwin Strakaoz, we sent the following oa\:lle to .the Iri-.;. ternational Red Cross, reiterating our request of Nov~ .. ember 14 and also urging a clarification of the Polish : · · Foreign '1inister1 s assertion that they do not possess ad"" equate resources to provide assistance to the Jews -in the concentration camps of Poland: 11 IN REPLY YOUR TELEGRAM NOVEMBER TWENTY FIVE ASKING US INFORM YOU OF CAMPS IN OCCUPIED POLAND WE WISH YOU TO ASSIST · WITH FOOD AND OTHER SUPPLIES AND PROMISING THAT UPON RECEIPT . OF PARTICULARS YOU WILL INVESTIGATE WHETHER RESPONSIBLI!: -. •.·•···.•. AUTHORITIES WILL CONSENT TO OUR SUGGmsTION WE SENT YOU FOL.. , LOWING CABLE ON NOVEMBER TWENTYEIGHT QUOTE JEWS POLAND, . ·. EXISTED SEPTl!:MBER NINETEH:N FORTYFOUR GALICIA FIRST LASZOW · .. NEAR ORACOW SECOND Sl'ALOWA WOLA THIRD MIELEC FOURTH PU4tSTKOWc · STOP CONGRl!:SS POLAND FIRST CZESNTOOHOWA SECOND PIOTRKOW THIRD · RADOM FOURTH STARACHOWICE FIFTH SKARZYSKO KAMIENNJ\ SI~H .. KRASNIK SEVENTH BUDZYN EIGHTH BLIZYN NINTH PIONKI STOP KINDLY CABLE WHAT ACCOMPtI SHED UNQUOTE TO DATE WE HAVENT HEARD FROM YOU STOP MEANWHILE WE AGAIN RB:CB:IvED ALARMING .. REPORTS CONCERNING DESPERATE PL!GHI' OF JEWISH CAPTIVES' IN POLAND NAZI CAMPS STOP IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE NEEDED AT ONCE ANXIOUSLY AWAITING YOUR REPLY RECEIVED TODAY FROM •.. POLISH CONSUL GENERAL SYLWIN STRAKACZ IN NEW YORK REPORT pOLISH FOREIGN MINISTER INFORMING THAT TijE QUOTE INTEROROIX.:.;. .·. ROGUE DOES NOT .POSSESS ADEQUATE FINANCIAt.· RESOUROES TO .. ·. . .··· PURCHASE SUCH PRODUCTS UNQUOTE TO PROVIDE HELP FOR THE JEWS . IN NAZI CONCENTRATION CAMPS AND THAT QUOTE THE INCREAS~ OF ASSISTANCE. TO POLAND IS POSSIBLE ONLY IF THE NECESSAR~ FUNDS WILL BE SUBBLIED TO THE INTERCROIXROG:UE IN SWITZ~R,..;. LAND UNQUOTE PLEASE CLARIFY STORY POLISH FOREIGN MINISTER . THAT YOU DONT POSSESS ADEQUATE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO ASSIST> CAPTIVES IN CAMPS. 11 . . ·•· We also cabled Tomasz Aroiszewski, Premier of th~ Polish Government-in-Exile, expressing bewilderment ~t his information in referenoe to .the Red Cross! and again urging intervention with, the Intt1;rqational ~t:,q. ~r0oss( ,..,...,...,.....--~-=--"--_r-_~"'~.. ~---··~- ,,,_ .. ~.. -:.'----'--'-:.:.-...:.:....,_::____~~~----- .... -:. --·- ... __ -·~- 0. - ~-· :·-:-o·:-~<.·. ..,,,,~;~,,:- .--_:,·.~-::__ ,_ -:o.:;.-_,:I,~.>~-:- -':c~,'.J-·-~::;~J-"i'(-- - \_~.:;;'.__ ·-r:-~---, ... ·····'! c:·ni ···f c;;'';.··;z) ,;~~i~ti.1~1~~;· -·_ ,, -::··_-; --~-:~: __._-~ ------·r·. -". :'-re-.,->,'- · • ' ,.· t~\ .·~/ ·'f (+ ' Needless to say that we are ":~r~!:uotl... pe~t~~~d. · ~}>·~J~!~; d Sincerely yours JEWISH LABOR COMMITTEE ~~ afoe/23076 J~cob Pat, jp: jg: ebb EXECUTIVE SECRETARY '_·- j ... I .:..;,_ ! ----f -t t . .·. ...·c··.1; . ··'.· ... .. ~- . . ~. 'l - ! i . I;1 •.•• j ,l .- f ! / . Jewish 175 EAST BROADWAY NEW YORK, N. Y. ~10 ADOLPH HELD, Chairman JOSEPH BASKIN, Secretary .DAVID DUBINSKY, Treasurer JACOB PAT, Eexec111ive SecreJary November N. CHANIN, Chairman, Office Committee • Vice-Chairmen J.BRBSLAW N.CHANJN M.CoHEN I. FEINBERG M. FEINSTONE Miss Florence Hodel, Special Assistant B. GEBINER to the ·a:xecutive Director of the I. H. GOLDBERG War Refugee Board P. L. GoLDMAN Washington 25, D. C. R.GUSKIN ].HOCHMAN L. HOLLANDER Dear Miss Hodel: E.]ESHURIN B.KAPLAN M.KUDISH We very much appreciate the information A.MILLER you gave us las week, concerning captives in con;.. I.MINKOFF centration camps. N. M. MINKOFF I.NAGLER ]. S. POTOFSKY We also want to thank you ·for your ve_l!y. -z. S.RIPKIN kind letter of November 15th, informing u~· ].ROBERTS the War Refugee Board has requested theJ State De ]. SCHLOSSBERG partment to dispatch our- cable to the Internation- S. SHORB al Red Cross, through Minister Harrison in Berri, -·- l, ]. WEINBERG Switzerland. ·. ·· M: WEINSTEIN M.ZAruTSKY CH. ZlMMBRMAN Sincere'ly yours, L. ARKIN, Boston• H. BERGER, Philadelphia: JEWI SI! LABOR COMMITTEE ]. BERNSTEIN, Detroit M. BIALJS, Chicago . ,..n/ ·. ]. BLUME, Boston S. CAPLAN, Baltimore ,<.· A. W. KATOVSKY, Cleveland EJ~~•·.·· CUTIVE SEpRETARY A. Kmzmm, Toronto afoe/23076 ~ ] . LBvirr, Los Angeles p:jg:cbb L. LEVY, Los Angeles T. MEISEL, Mexico S. 0SHRY, Pittsburgh M. RUBINSTEIN, Montreal B. SHANE, Montreal ]. SIEGEL, Chicago H. TuRK, Baltimore ]. WEISBERG, Cleveland ·----.-.. »ear Sins . !ht• 'Will acbovltt,p ,_.1pt fd ~ ltltld et J~ H. 194•. · · ·. !bad vou tor the tiatonau.- ••~.a ·J.Q ·Out .,..__ o~nt paragrapfa .r 70V lethr. .l• lo tu ff.Ht per"#~. 7*4 _,. :be aaftH4 \bat the Boart. blJ. * ·~• .. -...... ~•· tea *11 teaeUl• -...urea a• Pl"Olllt~ P pfPill•• . J ••• :Pe11J.••. Bxteu\1"8 »~•cto-. Jewtsb LalM\• eo.t•u.. 171 Beat 1Bnd.W,• Bew fork• ... Yt$4 -~ - ""·~···.- . ~-- ~·.·;' .. . . Jewis.h .,.._,o ADOLPH HELD, Chairman ]OSBPH BASKIN, Secretary DAVID DUBINSKY, Treasurer ]ACOB PAT, Bexec11tive Secretary July 24, N. CHANIN, Chairman, Office Committee • Vice-Chairmen J. BRESLAW N.CHANIN M.COHBN I. FEINBERG M. FEINSTONB Mr. John W. Pehle, Exec. Dir. B. GEBINER War Refugee Board I. H. GoLDBBRG Washington, D. C. P. L. GOLDMAN R.GUSKIN }.HOCHMAN Dear Mr. Pehle: L. HOLLANDER E.JESHURIN B.KAPLAN We, have .Just -received a cable · · M.KUDISH from Dr. E:manuel Scherer member of the. A.MILLER Polish National Counsil ln London, inform~ I.MINKOFF ing us that the American Embassy promised N. M. MINKOFF I.NAGLER him to request the United States Government J. S. POTOPSKY to speed up the rescue of the holders of S.RIPKIN South American passports, in tne Vital · }.ROBERTS camp. We hope that you Will do everything }. SCHLOSSBERG uossible in this matter. S.SHORE }. WEINBERG M. WBINSTBIN We also wish to inform you that M.ZAruTSKY several days ago we received a cable from CH. ZIMMERMAN Dr. Scherer about relief. :and rescue l>i'ork • for the Jews of Poland, in which he told L. ARKIN, Boston H. BERGER, Philadelphia us that he is in ~eceipt of reports from J. BERNSTEIN, Detroit Poland, dated June~ 1944, and signed by M. BI.ALIS, Chicago well-known Jewish labor leaders· of the. .· ]. BLui.m, Boston underground, asking for $15c>;_ooo. · In re" S. CAPLAN, Baltimore sponse to this ca11, we immea.-iately dis A. W. KATOVSKY, Cleveland A. KrnzNER, Toronto · patched, through the· c_h8;f11}el,s ,of .th~" Polish > ]. LBvirr, I.Os Angeles Government, $50,000, and assigned Dr., Scb,erer. L. LEVY, Los Angeles to supervise this money ... The Joir:it Dis-.> T. MHISEL, Mexico tribution Committee sen! another $100,qoo; S. OSHRY, Pittsburgh through the same channels;~_; asked Dr. M. RUBINSTBIN, Montreal Scherer, and Dr. Scfi.wart2HMl-R,--i:;he second · .· B. SHANE, Montreal J. SIEGEL, Chicago Jewish member of the Polish National Counsil, H. TuRK, Baltimore to supervise the funds. ]. WHISBBRG, Cleveland I know that this 1riformatloh w+11 interest you. p:jg:cbb afoe/23076 JVl.t'l• Dear Mr, Pat: l wish to acknowledge with thanks your letter of Jul7 10, 1944, enoloe11lB a copy of a cable which you received from Dr, Emanuel Scherer in London, Very tl'lll.y youre, (i1«asa) J. l'I. Pehl• J. W, Pehle Executive Director Mr, JRcob Pat, Executive Secretary, Jewish Labor Oolllllllttee, 175 Bast Broa4way, Uew fork, New ?erk, ~ RBHutchieontagr 7-14..44 -·<---7--- ..-. ~ ------~ __::_. __ ,-~ -~ ,·x_··:;- Jewi~h 175 EAST Dl'l.\Jl'"\l'.JV.VI'"\ ~10 AnoLPH HELD, Chmrman JOSEPH BASKIN, Secretary DAVID DUBINSKY, Trea.rurer ]ACOB PAT, Bexetutive Secretary N: CHANIN, Chairman, Office.. Committee Vice-Chairmen J.BRESLAW N.CHANIN M.COHEN I. FEINBERG M. FBINSTONB B.GEBINER Mr. John w. Pehle I. H. GOLDBERG War Refugee Board P. L. GOLDMAN Washington, D. C, R.GUSKIN ].HOCHMAN L. HOLLANDER Dear Mr. Pehle: i E.]ESHURIN l B.KAPLAN !·' M.KUD!SH I am sending you a copy ot a cable A.MILLER . ./ I.MINKOFF which I received from Dr, Emanuel Scherer, 1n N. M. MINKOFF !.NAGLER London, this morning. ]. S. POTOFSKY S. RIFKIN ]. ROBERTS I believe that you will find it ]. SCHLOSSBERG S. SHORB of interest. ]. WEINBERG M. WEINSTEIN M.ZAruTSKY CH. ZIMMERMAN Sincerely yours, • L. ARKIN, Boston JEWISH LABOR COMMITTEE H. BERGER, Philadelphia J. BERNSTEIN, Detroit M. BIALIS, Chicago \\ A !&: J. BLUME, Boston ~(~~~ 1 '1 S. CAPLAN, Baltimore EXECUTIVE SECRETARY A. W. KATOVSKY, Cleveland \j . ·. A. KIRZNBR, Toronto afoe/23076 ] . LEVITT, Los Angeles ebb L. LEVY, Los Angeles T. MEISEL, Mexico S. 0SHRY, Pitrsburgh M. RUBINSTBIN, Montreal B. SHANil, Montreal ]. SIEGEL, Chicago H. Turuc, Baltimore ]. WEISBERG, Cleveland ••••• •• 1944 B GBR 740/l XO LONDON 60 4 0935 FIL NLT JACOB PAT JEWISH LABOUR COMMITTEE 175 EASTBROADWAY NEWYORKCITY JUST INFORMED 400THOUSAND HUOO.ARIAN J'EWS DEPORTED POLAND . ANNIHILATION 350 THOUSAND FACING LIQUIDATION NEJCI' DAYS STOP SUGGESTING AMONG OTHER PROPOSALS SWITZERLAND SWEDEN TURKEY GIVE THEM HONORARY CITIZENSHIP AND THIS WAY FULL PROTECTION , STOP DO ALL POSSIBLE IMMEDIATELY STOP MAKING HERE ALL EFFORTS THROUGH POLISH RESCUE COUNCIL STOP DONT NEGLECT FINANCIAL \-· HELP EMANUEL SCHERER MEMBER POLISH NATL COUNCIL ., ~r-:-.- _. ..=~~. Jut rs•• Dear Mr. J>ati l wieh to acknowledge vlth thanks your letter of July 6 1 19441 encloeing a copy of e. telegram received by you from Emanuel Scherer, a member of the Poll&h National Council in London. tBtRJit&} ·I• ... Re1ile J. W, Pehle Executive Director ._ _.~ Mr. Jacob Pat, Executive Secretary, Jewieh Labor Oo111D1tttee, 175 3ast BroadwST, Nev York, Bew York. ~·· -Jewish'. La-bor 175 EAST BROADWAY NEW YORK, N. Y. ~10 ADOLPH HBLD, Chairman JOSEPH BASKIN, Secrelarr DAVID DUBINSKY, Treasurer JACOB PAT, Eexeculive Secretary N. CHANIN, Chairman, Office Committee July 5, 1944 • Vice-Chairmen J. BRESLAW N.CHANIN M.COHBN I. FBINBBRG M. FBINSTONB B. GBBINBR I. H. GOLDBBRG Mr. John W. Pehle P. L. GoLDMAN War Refugee Board R.GUSKIN Washington, D. J.HOCJWAN o. L. HOLLANDBR E.JESHURIN B.KAPLAN My dear Mr. Pehle: M.KUDISH A.MILLER For your information, we hereby l.MINKOPF N. M. MINKOFF I.NAGLER enolose a copy of a telegram which we have ]. S. POTOFSKY S. RIFKIN just received from Emanuel Soherl}r;: member J. ROBERTS ]. SCHLOSSBBRG of the PolishvNational Council in London.·. S.SHORE ]. WBINBERG M. WBINSTEIN Hoping you will find it of int- M.ZAfuTSKY CH. ZIMMERMAN erest and use, I am, • L. ARKIN, Boston H. BERGER, Philadelphia J. BBRNSTEIN, Detroit Sincerely yours, . . M. BIALIS, Chicago JEWISH LABOR COMMI~TEE J. BLUMB, Boston S. CAPLAN, Baltimore A. w. KATOVSKY, Cleveland A. KlRzNER, Toronto ]. LBVITT, Los Angeles L. LEVY, Los Angeles ~ T. MEISEL, Mexico S. 0SHRY, Pittsburgh a.foe/23076 M. RUBINSTEIN, Montreal p: Jg: ebb B. SHANE, Montreal J. SIEGEL, Chicago H. Turuc, Baltimore ]. WBISBERG, Cleveland 1944 JUL 3 PM 9' '39 GBR??3B LONDON 156 28 FIL NLT JACOB PAT JEWISH LABOR COMMITTEE 1 ?5 EASTBROADW!Y NEWYORK - RECEIVED NW CABLE JEWISH WORKERS UNION SENT POLAND FEW DAYS AGO STOP ADDRESSED QUOTE SENDING CABLE DR SCHERER POLISH GOVERNMENTS DEPUTY UNQUOTE SIGNED USUALLY QUOTE JUST INFORMED BY sPECIAL ENVQY ( 1. e. arr.l ved from Osw1o1m - J • P. ) ABOUT NEW MASS MURDER BY GAS IN CAMP OSWICIM COMMITTED FOLLOWING ORDER FIRST JEWS THEN WAR PRISONERS AND SICK REGARDLESS ORIGIN ALSO POLES AND OTHERS STOP SIMILAR CRIMES OTHER CAMPS STOP HUNDRED THOUSAND HUNGARIAN JEWS BROUGHT OSWIECIM GAS EXECUTIONS STOP GERMANS PROMISED THEM BEFORE DEPORTATION EXCHANGE ABROAD UNQUOTE MESSAGE CALLS QUOTE BIG PROPAGANDA ACTION HIGHLY URGENT STOP ALL FORMS MUST BE USED RADIO NEUTRAL PAPERS LEAFLETS ALLIED STATEMENTS RED CROSS UNQUOTE ••• STOP CONFIDENTIAL REMARK ABOVE CABLE SOURCE i. INFORMATION THIS CASE GIVEN ALSO BY OTHERS STOP BESIDES MESSAGE CALLS NEW BIG HELP STOP AWAITING IMMEDIATELY STOP SEN'D ALL (1.e. Money - J.P.) RECEIVED ACCORDINGLY ALL YOUR WISHES- EMANUEL SCHERER MEMBER POLISH NATIONAL COUNC.IL JUN 201944 I. For your information there io horewith enoloHd ii. copy of a r~solution recently adopted-by the ~ergeriey Advisory Collllllittee for Pglitlca.l Defenae.and tranemitted to the Governments of tho American republioa for imple- mentation. Very truly youra, (Signed) J.I. itbl8 J. w. P•hle Execmtive Direotor !tr. Charles i3. Sherm..!ln Jewieh Labor Cotn!llittee 175 Broadway '· New Xork, M. t. Bnoloeure -- -·------'------~--·- LSLesser1ala 6/lJ/44 . .; Jewisli Labor NEW YORK, N. Y. -4i>•o· ADoLPH HBLD, Chairman ]OSBPH BASKIN, Secretary DAVID DUBINSKY, Treasurer JACOB PAT, Eexeculive Secretary · April· 28, 1944 .. · N. -CHANIN, Chairman, Office Commillee • Vice.Chairmen .i J.BRESLAW N.CHANIN M.COHBN Mr. Lawrence Lesser l.FBINBERG M. FB!NSTONB War Refugee Board B.GBBINBR Treasury Depart~ent I. H. GOLDBERG Washington, D. c. P. L. GOLDMAN R.GUSKIN Dear Mr. Lesser: ].HOCHMAN L. HOLLANDER E.JESHURIN We are arranging for a group of our activft workers B.KAPLAN to meet with you at a luncheon on Wednesday, May 3d, M.KUDISH at l P .M., in the Fifth Avenue Hotel, 5th Avenue and· A.MILLER 9th Street. I.MINKOFF N. M. MINKOFF I.NAGLER Please contact me as soon as you get to New York. J. S. POTOFSKY S. RIFKIN Our Executive Committee is deeply appreciative of J. ROBERTS your interest and cooperation and welcomes the op J. SCHLOSSBERG portunity to eXpress to you, personally, its sincere S.SHORE thanks for your favorable consideration. J. WEINBERG M. WBINSTBIN M.ZAruTSKY CH. ZIMMERMAN • {!gl'fiu~ L ARKIN, Boston H. BERGER, Philadelphia ]. BBRNSTBIN, Dettoit Chas. B. Shermam/ · M. BIALIS, Chicago J. BLUMB, Boston CBS:BS S. CAPLAN, Baltimore af/oe A. W. KATOVSKY, Cleveland A. KIRZNBR, Toronto 23076 J. LllvITT, Los Angeles L. LEVY, Los Angeles ¥ T. MEISEL, Mexico S. OSHRY, Pittsburgh M. RUBINSTBIN, Montteal B. SHANB, Montteal J. SIEGEL, Chicago H. TuRK, Baltimore J. WmsBERG, Cleveland In teply please refer tos 519 ( \ Deal' Sirs• Than~ you tor yo'1,r letteJ' of AprU 11, l.944. quoting a cable received by you concern1nig the latetl develOJ'.lBlente in the tragic plight of· the ~~lt11h Jews. Yot\r cooperation in rmldng tble _lnf'ormiitt.on · a'f'a1lable :ls anprecia.ted. Very truly yours, (IUgned) :r. W. PehlP J. w. Pebie llbte,uttve ntrector Mr. Adolph Held• Chat i'lilan, Mr. Jacob Pai, Executive Secre\eioy, J.Wiah Labor Co!!1!!11ttee 1 115 :ma,t Bro~wei\V, Nev Tort a, ftew fork. -~- _;·:_1 ~-t; "..~ :-~r - {-!-~ ·-) ~~ :, :" .. ~ 1--~ J ewtsh Labor _Couimi.it~e 17'5 EAST BROADWAY . NEW YORK 2, N. Y. ADOLPH HELD, Chflirm,m ~398 ]OSEPH BASKIN, Secr""elary DAVID DUBINSKY, Treasurer ]ACOB PAT, Exec111ive Secretary N. CHANIN, Chairman, April 11, 1944 Office CommiJJee Vice·Chairmen }. BRESLAW N. CHANIN M. COHEN I. FEINBERG Mr. John W. Pehle, M. FBINSTONB Executive Director B. GJlBINBR War Refugee Board I. H. GOLDBERG Washington 25, D. c. P. L. GOLDMAN R. GUSKIN ]. HOCHMAN L. HOLLANDER Dear Mr. Pehle: E. ]ESHURIN B. KAPLAN M. KUDJSH For your information, we are hereby A. MILLER submitting to you the following oable Whioh has 1. MINKOFF reached us concerning the latest developments in N.M.MmKoFF the tragic plight of the Pol~h Jews& I. NAGLER 11 }. S. POTOFSKY s. RIFKIN JUS'l' HEARD NEW SOS CALL SAVE REMNANTS JEWS POLAND }. ROBERTS STOP NAZI MURDERED LATELY REMNANTS JEWS LWOW STOP . }. SCHLOSSBERG KILLED MANY THOUSAND OF BIGGEST GHETTO LEFT IN LODZ S. SHORE STOP LIFE WHOLE JEWISH POPULATION LODZ 150,000 }. WEINBERG BEFORE BEGINNING PRESENT MASS MURDER NOW DIRECTLY M. WEINSTEIN M. ZARITSKY 'l'HREATENED STOP FEW MONTHS AGO LODZ GHET'l'O DEFENDED CH. ZIMMERMAN l'I'SELF BY SUCCESSFUL GENERAL STRIKE STOP DEFEND THEM YOU NOW BY ADEQUATE ACTION STOP EVEN NOW MANY JEWS L. ARKIN, Boston POLAND CAN BE SAVED STOP 'l'HEX $.Ay WORLD PARrICULARLY H. BERGER, Philadelphia AMERICAN JEWS REMNANTS POLISH JEWS AWAITING SALVATION ]. BERNSTEIN, Detroit FROM YOU STOP MANUEL SCHERER MEMBER NATIONAL • M. B1Aus, Chicago COUNCIL POLAND" . 1 . ·· _ I/ . . ·. ]. BLUME, Boston S. CAPLAN, Baltimore B. COHEN, St. Louis With heartfelt gratitude for-yC>urdeep A. W. KATOVSKY, Clev.eland and everlasting interest in the Jewish tra~edy; we A. KIRZNER, Toronto - remain ]. LEVITT, Los Angeles L. LEVY, Los Angeles T. ME1sn1, Mexico Respectfully yours, S. 0SHRY, Pittsburgh JEWISH LABOR OOMMITTEE M. RUBINSTEIN, Montreal B. SHANE, Montreal ]. SIEGEL, Chicago ~~-- H. Turuc, Baltimore Adolph Held, Chairman . ]. WEISBERG, Cleveland afoe/23076 obb ;6~~utive Secretary la. reply plea•• rder toe 358 Dear Hr. fats l'b&Qk TOU fott J,OU1' leth'I' of Jfar~h 11 .,. 1~44.: · enOlOllft& a copy of an in«thh ti'artillaUon ot a. l'"•Mt\ tna the levllh Labor urtduaro1U1.d oi'gmll•atloa t.• l>~l.u~~ You oooperauo.,, Sn liaklnc thb tntoraatton. · aYailable to u11 11 appreobh4. · · · · <--:·- Veq truly fo~e, f8iR!1oG.) J. l'I. Pehl@ , AoUaag ·'·lx"u\(ff '· '•hl• Dlh!\Ot ·· ac,,.. tTaoob J>at. Exe~tlve Dlreotor. Jowl1h L&bpr Oa119itt11, l '15 Bast »roa.it~, N•w ·Tork 2, ll'ew forlci - ____ ,_-.: ,. - __. ,, Jewish' , Labor 175 EAST BROADWAY NEW YORK 2. N• Y., ADOLPH HBLD, Chairman ~··· JOSEPH BASKIN, Secretary DAVID DUBINSKY, TreaJurer JACOB PAT, Exec111ive Secretary - N. CHANIN, Chairman, March 17, 1944 0 ffice Commillee Vice-Chairmen J, BRESLAW N, CHANIN M, COHEN L FEINBERG M, FEINSTONE Mr. J. W. Pehle, Exec. Dir. B, GEBINER War Refugee Board L H, GOLDBERG Washington 25, D. C. p, L GOLDMAN R, GUSKIN J, HOCHMAN L HOLLANDER Dear Mr. Pehle: E, ]ESHURIN B, KAPLAN I take pleasure in sending you an M.KUOISH ,/ A, MILLER English translation of a report which the L MINKOFF N, M, MINKOFF L NAGLER Jewish Labor Committee received from the J, S. PoTOFSKY /' S, RIFKIN JeWish labor underground. organization in J, ROBERTS J, SCHLOSSBERG S, SHORB P6land. J, WEINBERG M, WEINSTEIN Please take special notice of the M, ZAfuTSKY CH, ZIMMERMAN financial report, which begins on page 13. L ARKIN, Boston H, BERGHR, Philadelphia If anything does not seem clear, kindly J, BERNSTEIN, Detroit M, Buus, Chicago inform me, and I shall be sure to send J, BLUME, Boston S, CAPLAN, Baltimore you a detailed report on it. · B, COHEN, St, Louis A, W, KAToVSKY, Cleveland A. KmzN~R, Toronto J, LEVIIT, Los Angeles Sincerely yours, L LEVY, Los Angeles JEWISH LABOR COMMITTEE. T. MEISEL, Mexico S, OSHRY, Pittsburgh M, RUBINSTEIN, Montreal ri IL-.. ~. · B, SHANE, Montreal \-vWV'- J SIEGEL, Chicago oob Pat H, TuRK, Baltimore CUTIVE(DIRECTOR J, WEISBERG, Cleveland AOFE/2076 ebb --~ REPORT ------_:. - - 'l'he current report covers the per+od from lb, ll::J1:1,3. The report for the preceding period -- 1942 lio 1.n~ end of June 1943 -- is being submitteclherewitP.1: labeled wi 11n i.ne letter "A". The current report, however:, is. lab,~ea.~ • with the le lii.e.t· "i::ln. ('£he first report has not yet arrived.) FOH T.w!i PE.HIOD OF JULY 1 TO NOVEMBER 15. 1943. In presenting to you the report of our aotivi11y anu enueavors, it is of the utmost importance to dwell upon tne gene:i;·al plan and conditions among whioh we have had to work. The main factor determin ing the character of our activity has been Nazism•s continued ful• f1llment of its plan to annihilate tne suI"v.:i.v:i.ng remnants of European Jewry •. ,/ . 1, CON'rINUATION OF T.Hla LIQUIDATION OF THE JEWS Along w1 th mass ~xlier•w.:i.nal.ion -- which is already known to you and which has, in i;ne preceding period, let to further slaughter of a large secrot of Jewry -- continued annihilati.on. of Jews, ln t~eL. · various cenoers where they live, is now taking plac~. mination is being conducted in various ways and without unlfoi-'.lll .. intens1 veness. In this regard, the familiar 'methods, u~111~~cf1n: ..• previous liqul~ations are being employed here -- me"thods of d·~ceit, . ceaseless barbarism, fiendishness. During the period covered by this report, complete liquidation has been affected 1n a number of ghettos in the area of t~e Genera1\ctoverrunen~, in Os1;la11d, a,11d in the areas which are joined in tiie Reich (excepting Lodz,. where a - ghetto of 30,000 Lodz Jews and some ioo.,ooo Jews exists). Th1:1 Still others were sent t? Jewish labor camps, or lierded·or:i.~to ~~~Y.F~·c'.,; · .. , -,_-.:, >-·.~ established camps. Finally, a very small group was lef'.t'fii(t.l:le' <<': , emptied and fire-consum&d ghettos, to institute order>tn~r:~,· ~p~{t;~\' ·. ?/>. aid in gathering and segregating the remaining fo,rtunes of 'the· ;Jews~?'.' >< so that the Germans might pillage it. As a result of the liquidation campaigns, certain small or 11 fortunate individuals", have succeeded in fleeing to the woods, or in hiding in neighboring oi ties. These centers are now being: cleansed of Jewish elements -- with utmost ferocity. During the period here described, liquidation was affectecl in the ghettos of Bendin (30,000 Jews), Ozenetachow, Mieletz; Radom, Piatrkov (a few thousand Jews in each), Bialystook (301 000 Jews), and Wilno ( 16, 000), and in the ghettos in a number of c1t1.e s in .· eastern Ge.licia, for example: Strie, Zambor, Kolomay, Bukhar11ch1 .··.;. Drohobitch and Borislov (each of which had 101 000 or 16 000 Jews). j 1 While ghetto liquidation was going on,. the groups whO had hidden in the woods, in order to evade the liquidation catastrophe~ were likewise exterminated. Consistantly, too, the Nazi}·ar$ ~a~1"1~g. Jews who hide in the Aryan section. Those caught are summ~riiy shot. To add to this, the Nazis have sought out the:groups' the catacombs (whom we know as "Bunkers", and who fled trBDI the burnt-down Warsaw ghettos). These groups are murdered on the spot~ During the period described in this report, the Nazis have · continued to transport ·to Poland, Jews frozi abroad, 1·.e~;,' tz'omWest~ ern and Southern Europe (Bulgaria, Roumanta, .Greece, Yugoslavia, .arid.· .. ·. reoently, Italy too). J,,e.T·hw·'ei. s.h:~ana.bst eprre dmp·.vs· i•. otim~:'.~~~ .~~,s:,~!~~~d either to gas ohauibers or to 1 0 . 08 .,--'-.-•j_.··-"-:":~.;...-.,_,~,_• . -~--:"- ~- c~·:--~'.+;~-,:_,,_;_.~~~-:~:-~--~-~ ":·_··~~-:...~ k> -:1 -·····--·vf)'jp<~ ,·._.-.·~·.:···.••-.-·.·~ ->·0·:·'.~7g. Recently -- probably ·in_ oonne ctlph "tlitd ~~·,N"a,ii d.~r~~t~-~~"k:,~}c_ .· ::'' ., : ·-~:-.--.... ·-·' ~".:.; the Russian front,-- a new J?eriod of 11qu1~~tM8~~~~.)ge· ¢~~()~;t;'~~~Ji'.i~·~i7.• \j'.;,;.N~; was ushered in. on November a, 1943, .the Nfizi~.-:i.i"qu~~k·~~ef.~#~ i<{;;, · -~,·:. ::::~1w:-::·::: :::::·:. l~::::,~:w::r::~ii~.1~Q~aJ%:::,t~,; reotion). This obliteration was affected in the decel:ttui m~n.lle~< ---,\-·:> characteristic of the Nazis. First of all, the ihen we~e l~d put.'o( ·>·· c: ··•·•····.•· ' the o- under the pretext tbat they must dig di toho.s tor mill.~y/ ·· ';, . f/'.:lr:; purposes. Then they were all stripped and maoh1ne~gunned to de~~~· .· n~ fate.Subsequently, This procedure the women was and partially children repeated were led on out November ;.._ ariCJ. met5 in.a _s:bni~artli~ .. .. ··_••..•.. ·•._•. _·.• -~"J~_-,f ..r,','.__....'.,.,_ ·_• ..•·.·•·•· ••·.:__.. '.·_·.· •.. 1 ; -... ~·, ·- P ani a to v oamp (which contained about 16,000 Jew13 1 who ,had 1U:.ew1s~. been herded from the Warsaw ghetto during t~e armed l'ebellion)~ .·.·,l_i,:_~'.·: Liquidation was the fate, too, of the Liblin camp, and part1all1.' ,of;· [I the Yanovsk camp I near Lwow, where 2, 000 Jews were done to death{ rt woods, Aryan quarters, and oampsfor alien citizens.- a) In the labor oamps, which are located in 'l;Q.eq vtcimty- ', ·' for any attempt to escape, anf f1nallyt co_llective responslb1lityt · ;.·. ·f.' Then, too, Jews work outside the camp area.""- i~ speqj,S.::L :; sections where they are confined in barracks, or to whioh·th~y ·. · ,~ walk from the camps. In these pl_aoes, .the Jews work alongside . . ~,r ,: 'i Polish. workers. There a:re·_a few dozen such camps within th~ area of . ·~. j :;o:·:~o:;:;~;:~YT::·.:~~·;:w:::::t::; .::~:::imsD' .c~.··.··· .1 < .L:r : . '· ..... - ~ c~·•• i::.s.l j i . .--,--, ..;·_._ ~·~.~.~~;_t(~: ---·:~· ~.~-.~.;~:- '~~-·-; .• - ">-'--';:. - :- harboring i2,ooo Jews; orie oamp i~ L~E>~ ·(koi'.~~1~t,~~g;~a~1;.~:::: ;~: · : others. Following the most recent liquidation of the Bial;Y15tok gl:i~tto,. ". '.· ' . . ·.. . . ' . a small portion of the populace was sent to the Travriikil.abor camp,. After the liquidation of the Wilrfo ghetto, where the greatest portion of the Jewish inhabitants bad been murdered, one surviving group was .. ·· ~ . sent to a camp in Varanov, and another was sent beyond Kovno. But one ghetto remained -- in Lodz -- which has been turned into a vast factory for the Nazis. b) In the woods. Of those who had esoape 7• ·~---.: -=<:--'-~·~:;.-~:.:;-:; :· .-':.~--~__ ,.--;, ·-:~i.'-.~-ii-.i-"·';I--~;_-;,~·~:~-~~' !)'' '• 5 Which functions as a unit of the Polish /· ' ···,' the Jewish organizations (i.e. 11 Burid".and mi ttee). Their lives are often cut short py ship. The living conditions in these camps are not uniform. Con-' di tions prevailing in Vi tel, for example, are good, while those in other centers, like Bergen, are unfavorable. [ According to reports. 1· ./ Which have recently reached us, the Bergen oamp has been liquidated; however, this word has not yet been confirmed. What about the numerical proportion of Jews in the various centers where they are found? This le extremely difficult to as certain. We hay, however, assume that the camps harbor the greatest number of Jews. Next in line are the Aryan quarters, followed by the camps for alien oi tlzens. The balance of the Jews find refuge in· the woods. 3, OUR TASKS In the light of the conditions here described, the extra.;; ordinary need of the Jews abroad, and our ·tasks; beco.me 01ear9 we· , ... - -·: ;"·- ,; were ;,.,. .,_ ·~· ·:::· .. co~fronted with problems which organizations Of numel'ica11y<: ·· greater and stronger peoples, and of nations organi·zed iriietates ,of ·· their own, with vast, expanded machinery and financial machinery, would have been unable to tao~. And while nations -- particularly Poland -- overrun· by the Nazi conqueror, are being he'l =~----· - - - 6 anoth has fallen from the heavy yet none have been able to stem all the tides were much smaller We, who are muoh weaker than the other nations) 18.o}tin~.:.> '. strength, power and preparation; we, who are a m1noJ;01ty th~t is . -·.:· .. · being systematically annihilated, and of which 'but a mere shado.w . . remains - How shall we cope with the vast tasks and needs which our··· tragic plignt brings to the f.ore? Another factort In so-called normal times, such treme,ndous .. tasks would have called for a vast setup of manpower. However, we . f. now laok it, since, unfortunately, nearly all the ~ost·1mportant sector of our manpowere reserve has been destroyed.· Compared with the large number of our various leaders and associates whom we could point to, prior to the war, and to a certain extent, in the first years of the Nazi occupation, there now remains but a very modest group which has harnessed itself to carry through our "Bund11 organiza"'." tion's difficult tasks, along the channels of underground actlvity. Yet, notning frightens us -- whether it be the· enormousness and unusual nature. of the grave problems facing us;, the seeming hopelessness of 'out' efforts, the severe dangers haunting us at every I turn, or whether it be the fact that such a small group is at c~ork;, and that, to make matters worse, death daily rol;>s us of sollleotie near . and dear in our ranks. We go forward in our effol;t$ becausd. :;,e :ar~ -.· .. ·· - filled w1 th determination to "see through" the tasktl lying ahead• • QAr. activity will still make it possible for a certain number of people to be spared from being consumed by the lllazi tide in the future.,. ,We live in full realization that it ls our duty to proudly continue our glorious heritage of Socialist struggle. Our task leads us1 first of .;.. __ -' ------, __ - - .--·- : ·' '"-'°'~·.··'--~~. - ·' ',, ""'""<>'-$~~,~~"'~"' •. ·;··:· ,, -~~:22"'.':~':"~'-: ~-.; ,;·· :~;~ ... /) · - 7 ... ·. :'{j'/ ... ,, .·: ·. . --'.., of unfortunate Jews, preparation for active resistance, aid to .· prisoners, prov1s1on of food packages~ .clothes and medical ass{staiic~,/.' . establishment of various contacts in the respective lOOali ties arid: • with the camps in the smaller c1 ties and towns, handling of news papers, letters and inquiries. All of which oonsume.s a great deal - .. Yo of 4, -- • ' • c' - '• -. I In July, 1942, a Committee was established in·Warsawj :to~ ,o·o-· ordinate the efforts of our organization with th~se o:f ~h9'Jewi~.t1 Ne:t1onal Committee. The new group's activity in tll~s'reg13J:"d, ~a~si . brought fruitful results (armed insurrection ot Janua,r.y1 ~8;rid. .AprilJ'·' 1943}. Fo116wing complete liquidation of the Wars~w ghettb,• tb.e' j." activity of the Coordinating Comm! ttee embraced the entire ~ph,ere .. of material relief for the Warsaw Jews, and .for all of P~land;. Committee is neither a.poUtioal body, nor_apol1t~oo-c0Dlll111na1:r~.P~ resentation of the Jewish pop~laoe; it is merely a unit coor~~n~t~ng the activity of both organizations in the field of Paragrai>h .II of yh.e ., 0()lJ!rnJt t~~· $· csi:;a~.W~~;s .~tat.i.tte s.~ .-·c•••:.{_~--~-.,~·;.-~t'.:.'-·:.:• .•:~. -·.<~>J,: _.:.~~-- ;.::'_~~)-~~.:='.,;~-::.--:-_-:_-=-.....o_~--==-~.;.....:_-,-;;:_;,,_0_~:0:,~~~d.-o.:._._~.(_-3.:.;: .. ~_.,_~~;;.~~~• ', - • • ·.·, ,.·.-_._ •., ..:' (t e - ·. '.(.;: ·•·•• x"c 'T~;.:.: ..r.; ;.y· ·~i ..... settled by eaO)i party h ii~Cofdoiro;, ~i~i.fii~9f¥~.·< ;){ifill} Yj'• • outlook~" Within the Coordinaliing Commi 1itee-, 11re' ·hav~,-~e~-~~i)t!,vE!-;:~i-:}~'·,-· :;·~ i.· ·· __ j /· aiding the smaller cities and ·towns, aiong wi.th tll.e: oam.p~-'~n ;.th,!:/ <'. ·< ~: ·IC, ]·': : ·. __ ;•--•·• field of relief and preparation' for armed rebei1100.~· :w~---·~11x~::~~-,--., -~ :-_r_:. r sisted the Coordinating Committee with substantial sums for'·re'i,;~'t1, ... \< ''!~i, og Jews and non-llews alike,- who were active iµ;-th~ Reii$f;do~no_1~ tci/- : "'}j' Jews' a;: ::e ~::.:::::;::n.::::1~::e .::::•::ou~ting to hJi~40· .. '(i :::::::::~ :::::::u::: 1 :::::~:=~::~~·:::::~:::::~'' -i.'.j···_i···--·•..:··-·_ tl1ng a number of Oomm1 ttee matters, many of our comrades play ~n ·.·_)_:_.__._..••. _._· __·• __ ~ important part (1n trying and hazardous positiens). The ·oom_mittee: ,, _ ·---···_--.··.··.··_··~-J~_:_:_-_-.·· :::::~~~":::.:::::w~::p:: t:::1 :~:i.::1~:=: ::::::::·:~·:: .'\I~ 1neurre ::::: :~::r:;d.. :::-:a:; ::::.::~or:~.:. n:::g:~.a~:~"'•ri~ ...•.• _·.-•-.-··_.___,_·-- ...•__--_ f_.ff;_,_;lt·.-.:~_.··_·•. a continuation of the chain of heroic deeds which the Warsaw ghetto- . ; . .. - . . . . initiated. -· - .--. ~ ' a) First of all -- BialystocK. This il3 one ot "the t which had, before the war, b~en strongly influenced"py the~ ~Buna1i; -';:,fH Bialystock put up :f1eroe resistance against the Nazis in inid,..A.ug11st;< ~j: 1943, when they began to liqUida-ce 11is gheHo. The armed. reb~lliq,n - • ·llf1 lasted a month, and was conducted with remarkable hero1~m. At. -.. •;~i'. Bialystock, 1ihe Nazu again. brougnt into· :Piay the . ·:~ . . Whi.oh they employed at Warsaw. Nazi loaee in _the latter c1ty ·-·· .· " .. _.·. . _ · 1 ·11~ / · ,/ _ were hlgn. The B1aJ.yetock ghetto whioh numbered ao; ooo eou1d· ~- ·iiiantf .>'.·: .'1 J .. .· 0 of them v1 ot1me ohliO up~i S!figs W~i'i±~uia~i~a?·'~~··:~~·:·:~~:1~ ]q'"'~' woods. Two hundred Jews fled there. o) Worthy or mention are tne rebellions in smaller of the Jews of larnov, Bend.in, Czenstachow, Borislov. d) Heroism characterizing the Treblinka revolt, also marked ./ i.ne l:Sab1oar rebellion. In Sabibar, too, hundreds of Jews were· mUr"' de red. The revolli, Which occured in October, 19431 cUlmin~te(i, in the successful escape of a large number of Jews from that camp •. e) In conclusion, I should like to cl lie lihe her~_io) rea~Eitan~e i which the Lodz ghetto Jews have displayed on a number of oooas:t,olls, · and wn1cn, wnne they were unarmed, was nevertheless in.tense and heroic •. In February 1943, a general strike swept .the Lodz ~hetto;. in oonneotion with the Nazi la.unohing of mass executions•'; The strike worked; the executions were halted. To conclude further, I should l1ke liO mention .hie Je~j,.sh 9amps J . of R'aniatov anc.l Travn1k1, ...... ·.· . ·" ...... _,_,.. _.... ,,c:.,-" .. f wn1cn prepared an armed rebell1onwi1;h :th~ - 0 - • -· .- ' ••• .. _ ·_. , •• - aid of the Ooordination Oommittee and Jew1sh compat Organiz~tl'C>n, which dispatched funds, amun1t1on and instructions tg 1;,hem •. 11.t:;V:olt preparation, along with the relief effort, were carrie.d for"Ward by.· a Ooordinat1ng Comm1 ttee ·(set up similarly t'() the Warsaw ·aooJ;"dinatlhg Committee). In this body, our c·omrades, Who, in the camps, comprise , - ·;- -. ·', : ' ., the greatest majority; are PA:STISAN -GROUPS ,., · ~~··- •.- cC__ ··•·····. ~'ii"~.;:,2,;;~~"""~'-'•~==,;,ccU 6, THE SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS During the period covered in this report, we ma:nii'ested a . great deal of oonoern ... ' :tor, and devoted maximum efforts towards;> es- and subsequently 1 in the course of that body's existence, .· oont!:lots were established with a number of cities by means of. specia;t z;:epre ... aentatives, aid of the Oouno11 which is a unit of the Polhh GOvern• ment 1 s Delegate, ·. . I_ and aid of the comrades of V.R.N• and of the Polisl:l. . - Democratic Party. - By means of these spokesmen~ l~tt,rs·bldd~ng -th8. Jews to :-.· mdnta1n their courage~ have bee:n dispatched .to t.ne·;labor camps along with :funds. Amuni ti on~ too, was provided. - In ~lmost all camps, we have been instrumental in the ·1aunch1ng of<~imiiar Coordination Commi ttees which maintained ~- 1 contact with Craco~;'·:P~-111 . - . - -' - . . . iatov, Travnik1, Piatrkov, Lwow, Ostrow1oz1 Radom, Kieltz, C~en.... eta.chow, Budzin,, and~ number of smaller centers such as ~karzh1sk;. Starochowicz, etc. Quite often, the camps establish a link with one another. and share the 1nro·rmation and data which they receive' f'roiii .. us. We also established contact.~ith Bialystock, immediatelyfol;.;. - . - ,:--~~±:~~(- . ___ /.:~ _,_--. - ..;c:c',c ..Cc:•.C..:C.;.~'.:;,~4co o,;,;_.·- L"•-~-~~-·-'~r-:'.t~Bf;~~/--. . - ., for example, ! ~eet ved .a ie tt.r from ~J~~~~r"i•._i ;;~~:t,i~.~~" '~~ 0 1 1 ii· : r:al:::: :~::.::r:;::· :::::oe ·:,::::1~~ct:i~~:::~i!~r+ 11 ..'~;· Warsaw , it conti~ued. The letter was wr1 tten·by·(Jpm~~~~-lc~-;?:i,~ · .·T-'>, -:·· ·. \ i Bialystook,, who had Just fled the Jew1Sh-Naz1 s;uggi~ in:~t;r.at_>~+-~~,--L.'_ :~.::.J.; and found refuge at the home of the Polish Oomra,d_e_ p·., ·. Simtla~: coD12: • ·•·.-,-.r- . muni cations have come to us from the Plashev ·call'lpa. 'l.'he ·P;l.8.:sh~i- .' comrades sent part of the funds they had received from us -~o TaJ>nov. At Travn1k1,, our comrades observed, in their own-.mannerv the: . 46th anniversary of the founding of the 11 Bund". Quiteoft~ni~alet~ ·,·'- ·- ' -=: ter of ours, which reaches a surviving ,· - comrade somewhere. in_ a·ral',:..,9:rt~ place buoys the hope of the suffering Jews and fortifies I their endurance. We should like to cite one example: We dispatched 20,000 zl,:~tys_~~ Pyatikov for the camp there. Would that you were able :to read the letter we received from there. "This has been the most' glorious. moment of our lives," they wrote. The individual ~herej to who.m the' funds had been sent, at once contacted other comrades and .other/.. camps -- at great personal risk -- and sent them some ot the. funds he had received from us. Too, he supplied us :w-1tfr a list of in other camps, for contact ,Purposes. A plan has been evolved, and ie now being perfected b,Y' the Coordination Committee, for the rescue of those confined in the --- ·- _.. - ·--~ , camps. Wholeheartedly, and in realization of the importal'!-ce ,of ~~~ - task, we are devoting our efforts to the aid of-· those' corinned - --- - ,- - . 1'n. - the camps. We have sent, are sendi~g, and shall continue to send, increasingly larg-e sums to these camps., Thus far, hundreds of thousands of zlotys have' already been d-ispato.11.ed. '.H:owever; we know that the most important tasl!.: now is to res~me as many indi:vldual_s as possible from _these oontinement places. This is a task or suofr· magnitude, that we are=~uruibfe··eveil"'to ··dl:isciliBij 'ft.~t'"ij ·1·6tJ.;'?{~~~~e ~~~·····'~ ~~:..:~:~.-,-_2•L '''o•C~;~o:C''•'-~~·~:"'="'«"':::·.•'-.~:·~'--~:j";7:':'.~-::~!~::_t~':f~t-·; .· ... ·· ·· .. . - . ---,·:-'~- _,_-~ -:· _--~- ,) ·:-,.• >c -' ·. /,/ >?C ~""' 12 ...,.··· .···.• ).,,}'~.; .. ··:~~.,>. '•> rescue plans, too, which must not, .liowever.i ~; i~~d~ - ... 7. coiNcIL FOR RELIEF FOR JEWS . • ·. ' ) ' " c: '~ '. As an auxiliary of the "De1ega:te; 11 a 11 CoUnoil'ior'.':a~he~~tdf·;y{ Jews" has been created (this body embraces spokesmen of th~}~bil~h~:J;;\f~~-J.('· ~ ·. '. _:, ' --; -,- Soc i al1 st Movement, Peasant Party Polish 1 Democratic P~ty, '8:ii~·}J;l;~Jic1~';1,f-/•. ,, .; .. _·.. _.-·:- and Jewish National CoiD:ffi1tt~e representatives). We llr~ wor~f~g;ari~ · :. c'.,'\ cooperating with the Council, to give further aid to the Jews. :w~,· <·' _-.· ' :--:~~)~ allocate part of our funds to the Council's Treasury. From Augu_s1F .. to November, 1943, we sent the Council a total of 300)000 z).oty~. a. Despite an· misfortunes, the power of illusion: still holds strong ~ay among the plagued Jews. The best ex8.mp1e· of this\ is the campetor alien c1 t1zens, at Vital, or Hanover. Moat of the · letters which the Paraguayan Consul,, in Switzerland, .had sent. io·~~~ Jews in the Warsaw ghetto -- with regards to conferring citizenship·<· on them -- never reached those for whom they were intended, s~nce they were already dead. These letters were subsequentlya~ctioned off, so to speak, and sold to the highest bidders. This despiciS.ble job was done by Jewish Gestapo agents, who tricked Jews into paying large sums for the letters. The Jewish popuJ.a,~e was Und~.r the illusion that the letters had the power of rescue. ~iid. so, ·:r:rom •. every corner, the mysser1ous word "Vital n, the name of. the cElblp~ . e ohoed for th. We resisted, refusing to make arty mo~e fol> receipt · '·. -.:~-'. :··--'_,·C·:· ~- :~~---.\---;._'·-; of these l~tters. We did not trust. the Germans, and mafotafoed that<< the.maneuver was a new trap for the Jews. a matter of principle, to have anything to do with the J1a1~fsh Gestapo agents. Some of our comrades were diasatis1'ied with this attitude• We have cabled you, inquiring whe.t.her the camps t6r ,alien . citizens are under the auspi'ces of the Internationa:i.°Red Oross. have received no reply. Unfortunately, tb,e answer was not. ·. c· < , ...·, 1 ong in ·coming• ' · It >aevel'oped tpat> at~"°tife oa'liij)'bifJ'nd:c~H~R~v~'zii~i3::,.-,,.::,.,,;;°";0''i'~';~!,f.:f;~tlf1~;:,~x,;:20~''.cli;rg'!::~\'ill'~J< -'~"'-····~·~-·~:, __ .·~"'-..,;_-~ __ , '. ::.-:-'-'·--"'-;fc;;»~~,,~_;,,_.;:~.s-;~""~~..::.~.:,~;.:;~~~-i.;·,._~~-:...:~.-.:....;.~~:_<:- -· ~ --~~:,,_:-.. ;::-~~?~./, -~ -,- ,____ c.-}~i.:::~.-~ - 0>::~ ,_. - . ; ::~-~-- -~-:·;~ .. - Admi ni stration of our entire f1nanct economyisconducited. in such manner, as to be based upon direct receipt, and Treasury.·.··.· document_s, aiong with the enumeration of the respective :f'aoto~s,' -. persons, and positions recorded in the financial books •. · In a wor(I;,'. that -- ·~ .; .. administration rests upon rational bookkeeping~ We are oon• cerned, to a still greater extent, in making certain that the :f'orlii~l 1 as well as the mer1torio, aspects of our economy, ord1frly •• A Reviai~n > Committee functions within the central administrative body, 'bdancing· ·- . -..· the incomes and expenditures, preparing the accounts, and· signing the minutes of the Revision each month. This Committee, which(enjoys ~ ;_: ~ our, and your organizational - ' authority 1 confirms; .on every ocoasi6:n~ the fact that our economy is a rational and exemplary one. The basis of this economy is to affect absolute saving, where'"' ver possible; to grant wide financial aid, whel:'ever necessa:r:r, by .. ··. exclusion of privileges of any kind, and tinli,lly; .t? take int()·C~· · consideration the needs of an who are under the: s,µpervisio,n;.~f}tb,h.;; <·:-·, u,.. ~.u'~"'"-" ; ; have to.::a:::p:;· te Chni Cal ,r easons, pre sen ta ti 00 of a V&ry ~. tafled. 'r, report of our financial aottvity, during the period cove.I'ed. ' . ln-thi~ >l report is i ·, .- -. ·~· .!·"~~··<:_.. ,._:-·~ ,f ibl F h · · · · · ·.. · · . · •' <' ' for th ~ou ·wi:i:s :~;~·:;~, ·.::::u:~:~·~:;:::~~~=:~~j~:i:~::::i::::::-:~~"i/i~,c;~~-;,;·~tJ1 '~th -·-----.,...--.-. · ·--· ·---- ,.•.. ~~-,,··~· · . · -~·· ~''c'""' .. :.c=&•~c.;c.~~~O'~~i;~~c.:}:;\:_.i~.;:; ~.;S£::"'.'.l').!'.cf> .... i.4·~.·. eoonomE, and will be able to our aoti vity, objectives, and needs,. And now, the crux of INCOME We have received from you, in --- c ' sums, which have ,been q1 paid to us in equivalent val~ei a: October, 1942 . • . sio·oo December, 1942 • !' • 5 ,·ooo February, 1943 . . ••• 10,000 April, 1943 13,000 "n Total 33,000 b: In addi t1on1 we have received, through t)le ·. Delegation, the following sums in Polish Zlotye: September l, 1943 ••.• ,300, 000 zlotys September 2, 1943 • . • • 345, 000 " September 3, 1943 •••. 150.000 11 Total 795,000 II which amounted, in dollar vaiuation equivalent, to $10,~oo. c: We also received, in Polish Zlotys ( t~ough the' .· "i"._ Delegate): October 7 . . . . . 509,000 Zlotys October 13 • . 700;000 .· II October 19 194,000 ·;'.···lt· . October 27 . • • • . . . . • 456~000 ,.;,o . " Total 1S501 ooo 11 which amounted, in dollar valuation equivalenli to $:i5,0Q<;l •.. - . ------~- -- - ' -- ·:-· ·.. - ._" . - -1 EXPENDITURES From the income, labeled under 11 a 11 , we reimbursed' the rihe:... gation for a loan which we had secured 'from it, in the ,amount ~f 15,ooo zlotys (we we·re entirely without-·tundsh ··This "amollnted.1 · according to the dollar evaluation equivalent at· :t.he: Our expenditures, in dolla~~' follow: A: Repaid boans·· a11ocationa: .;. 15 - a) $5 1 000 d) $1,ooo -- paid out,, according to special indication to the left--wing . Poale-Z!on e) #3,ooo -- paid out, according to special indication to the right-wing ' Poale-Zion · f) $400 paid out at the beginning of March, 1943, to the Coordinating ColPlllittee and the Jewish combat organization, according to special lndicrations g) $300 repaid the debt to the Delegation Total B: Our Budget Expenditures During the period of mid-October, 1942 to July 1,, 1943 (8* months) our budget expenditures averaged $2,500 monthly. For et months, this total $21,250. This sum, plus the sum enumerated· 0 under A• ($121 200), brings the total to f33,450. Thus,, the d~bts/ we incurred With private individuals amounted, on Ju],y i, 19,43, $450. What ala our expenditures embrace? Maintenance of ··4. of families, homes, provision to these families of clothes, laund:ry; :1 shoes, medical aid, and roofs over their heads (to the degree nee;;. I essary), purchase of fr~edom for imprisoned_lndiv1d~alsf~e_spent... J J $2,000 for this purpose), and p,ayoff to blackmailers. . 'l'he sums for the subsequent period are ,constitute~ air fb,liows:: i!YU !. to November 30, 1943,. INCOMES (Previously Enumerated) In addition: September 1,. 1943 September 2, 1943 300,000 zlotys. . . . ·- ... : 345;000 n · September 3~ 1943 . Total in opt. ·· . - . . ·- ~ . •,' 150,000_ " 795,QOO H October 7, 1943 October 13, 1943 • • October 27, 1943 • Total in . -~: October ";-: - - . - ' - - --·__ --- - .. - - Grand Total - -. -, - : ·.~·. 17 - addition, in dollars $s,ooo. Thebalanoe is in prooess of presentation.· EXPENDITURES l) Coverage of the $450 deficit for the period until JuJ.y 1, 1943 • • . • • • 2: Repayment to the Jewish National Committee of its loan •.•••• • •. • • - i._•. 3: Our sharing in the mutual e~enditures of the Coordinating Oomm1ttee (for camps, Jew ish combat organization, etc.') which nad been advanced by the Jewish National Com- · mittee for the period of May, 1943 292 000 1 4: Maintenance of, and provision tor, individuals, realization of the budget, whioh amounts to 4601 000 zlotys monthly, for July 1 to Se~tember 20 1943 (5 months, 5 times ljji450,000) 1 2.250,000 Total 21 606,500 ff In view of the fact that our incomes, forthe above period totaled 2,645,000 zlotys, our treasury on November 30, 1943, amounted to 38,500 ·zlotys, or $8,ooo. ~·. The previously-enumerated sums inolude our regular alloo~tion for the DelegaHon1 s relief effort. This amounted to 275,000 zlotys, for 'tne period from September 1, to the present date~: We. sent a special single rem1ttanoe ot 25,000 zlotys to the Childrente Aid Division, which functions as a unit of the Relief Council,•. w, emphasize here that neither our oomrades, nor their families;· ~ho are being maintained by us, have benefi tted, or are benefitt1ng; :':f:rom ... the funds of the General Couno11. The sums whioh our represen~ative participating in the Oounoil distributes, through our oontaot points, · to a few hundred persons (400, this month), oonoern individuals·, Who have nothing at ,all in common With OW' organization; but who ,are, . nevertheless, inoluded in the orbit of our activity., as e, resuJ.t of personal aoquaintanoesh1ps, or otb,er :f'aotors. Ma.top NatW>ally, these sums were not·· inciuaed1rt 'c)U,r· i)z:evYouil f:ep();t;:~,,~h':j.,~~~':ij_"~~t~·- .. -.- - .·.•. _-_.- \. •18 .. a separate account, subject to Oounoi:l .. ., ...... of other_factions represented in the Oounc11. this here so that we will have a picture of the ·entire el tua tlon. One more point -- bearing upon the Ooord.1nat1ng Oomnitttee;;i Previously, I spoke about our activity in this field.-_ The t1nan_c1ai ' aspect of this ' ' activity may be eX:plained as follows: ·The Coordinating Committee does not have a budget of its own. The expenses which it has from time to time, are incurred, as has been noted previously1 on the basis of an tinderstanding reached by both parties represented. in the Committee. Each party contributes proportionately to the Committee from its treasury, according to a 40:60 (recently.a 50:50) ratio. We, and the Jewish National Committee, o'over this amount. The planning of expend! tures take place within the sphere of the matters associated with the mutual field of activity., We have conducted our financial economy in line with our organizational budgets, and in accordance with the urgent· pos sibilities and needs. It may, on the surface, seem paradoxical that at the very time when tile annihilation of Jews is prodeeding so ewit'tly, ·and in such a wide scope, 'that olll' 'budget .surges upward+ Thie, . however, is not accidental. . . - The tremendous responsibilities wh14h cbnfront us -- aid to ,the Jews who are still surv1 ving -- c6mJ)e1s us to~ etert a great effort in this regard. Each indi v!dual -- riot to speak of ; the entire living group in the camps and ghetto ruins, et'o• :;.:;. is : '! of inestimable communal value to us, and we must give them ·all· consider ation. On conclud1!1g this portion of the'report, I should like 'l;o call to .your attention our ever increasing financial nef!)ds, o~llcl. .... - -- ' _o •- , --, ~ "- ~-·-'·<;·':;;:~·:--;'o-•_-:; -::·>;_~-?', 0-'- - --:·· ~.:F:,--._ . . . ' ~ •. ;o.-· - ___ ..,_;_ - 19 ... also the fact that we are soley dependent wish to receive - nor shall we - aid from alone can be the only source of help. Please in mind so thatthe recent plight which conf'ronted'us few months we were entirely w1 thout funds and were) threateried.wi,~h··. - ·- - . -.. . - - - .. catastrophe) shall not be repeated. Also, please make an exact . . listing of all sums which yo.u have remitted to us, and send us,. particulars about your future plans. I Kindly inform us whether you have dispatched sums intended for use by ua and by the Jewish Natlonal Committee. We do not know about such action, and have never received mutual sums of this kind. Will you be good enough to let us know too, whether any amounts have generally been dispatched to our country for all Jews there, and if so, through whom they were sent • ./ 9. "YIDDISH UNTERSHTITZYNGS SHTELLE 11 j Following liquidation of the Krakau ghetto, and of other ghettos, the Nazis set up, at Krakau, and instituti'On known as.the "Yiddish Untershtitzungs Shtelle," which is headed· by Dr. W. Un oficially, two Zionists of Krakau work along with this unit. Ostensibly, t11e purpose of this body is to distribute, among the labor camps, medical supplies and other articles, which Jewish organizations from -- - - .. · ~ . - abroad send through the International Red Cre>ss. In reality, however, . the above Nazi;- created body is nothing but an instl!ument se'f tip.by '; - , the occupier to deceive the world with regard to its attitude towa?'ds the .Jews, and to affect siezure of these supplies for the :sl'ownshirts. At our suggestion, the Jewish Naticml Committee agreed· that the proposal 11 wM,ch the head of the Y1ddish Untershti tztings Shtelle". had made to us concerning his collaboration with us and with ' ' the . . --s , Relief Council, be turned down. , The Coordinating Oommi ttee has. adopted: a negatlve·pOait·fori towards tfi~YUS' arid~h:a'Ef:o~ble"aci~~~;, ,,, . ~,~,,,"~ --.,...-,__ ..,.;'.;:':-,,,-:--:-- ._ :";t{"rn" .·_-_;:--- r -- .... 2 , .: > ., ....· .~. •, ::>7~:;,1/>< ·:~;rx to th:!~fect. ;n ::, o~b18c~ 'P• a~~iii~~· ~a~~ /:~"'" ·;i~i;./, ~iJ a warning to public opinion abroad, against the i.J:s:;~4.;t;4~>~tit~J:'e 5~~ ~··;::;if ;, < _, . ---- -.- --,-- ---·------·- _-.,-_,;·· ---_-.....- ;-_,--:-~~;~":~~q?·, ---:<:>-F-··-· matter, and·d~manded that shipment of ~edi~alsupp:Li'e;~~hd'o~~~tzr c~· ·rzriJt. 0 :::;~;::·1 :~ u;:~v::u:·~::: .::.:·:~1~:g ::·:::~~gre°;!t;:~:ti~~;; .. ;c1·. i I suggestion that we alter our stand. ' ···.·· - · .. ·l ' ;\j•·- 'l' After a certain period had elapsed, the Y.u.s. spokesman. arinouA~e.d :;;; ( 'r that they would heed the Coordinating Committee• s decision, and woullid , ·.. · ! turn over to the Committee all remaining articles which thei.r group - had in its possession. Of course, they did not keep their word. We can draw our conclusions therefrom. TREASURY DEPARTMENT~ INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION TO ·,iiss Hodel F'1101o1 L.3::r-ence S. Lesser The Je,:lsr1 Lccbor Comsittec (Leon Dennen) anked me the other i-:.y ·.·1heti;cr 1,e. ·:ouli permit th;2:;1 to send £'unds through Switzerland to St.c.ng:1'li t.J t~~c c~:.rc of sixt.y of trtheir people 11 at $20 per month a :.eJ.d. :c:uen s~ys th::t he i;:; acivisecJ. that the JDC is not taking care In l'epl7 pieaae FEB25.·1944 ref'er to: aoo Dear Mr. Held: Thank J'OU f'or your lettel' ~· J'ebruary l(i, of1944, Jewish outlining ref'Ugees. a :program for the rescue and. ·re.net receive PromptI aesure cons1derat1on. you that your auc,•ationa will Very truly Totin, rnttl.'nad.) 3. W. Pehle J. w. Pehle Acting ~eouttve Director Mr. Adolph Held, Ohatr111an, Jewish Labor Co11111tttee 175 Eaat Broadwa,, 0 Rew York 2, Hew York. Jewish Labor Committee 175 EAST BROADWAY NEW YORK 2, N. Y. .....398 ADOLPH HELD, Chairm,m JOSEPH BASKIN, Secrelary DAVID DUBINSKY, TreaJnrer ]ACOB PAT, Executive Secretary February 16, 1944 N. CHANIN, Chairman, Office Commi11ee Vice-Chairmen }. BRESLAW N. CHANIN Mr. John w. Pehle M. COHEN Acting Executive Director J. FEINDERG President's Refugee Board M. FEINSTONE Washington 25, D. c. B. GEBINER I. H. GOLDBERG P. L. GOLDMAN Dear Pehle: R. GUSKIN Mr. }. HOCHMAN L. HOLLANDER In reply to your letter of February 8th, the Jew E. ]ESHURIN B. KAPLAN M. KUDISH ish Labor Committee is happy to present its program for A. MILLER I. MINKOFF the rescue and relief of Jewish victims of the· enemy power. N. M. MINKOFF I. NAGLER J. S. POTOFSKY As you have indicated in your letter, the President's S. RIFKIN }. ROBERTS Board is cognizant of the difficulties 1nvolv~d in the prepara }. SCHLOSSBERG ""d...... S. SHORll tion of such a program. Moreover, the creation of the Pres }. WEINBERG M. WEINSTEIN M. ZilruTSKY ident• a agency for the rescue of members of persecuted CH. ZIMME!u.IAN religious and political minorities, which will indeed bring L. ARKIN, Boston H. BERGER, Philadelphia profound gratification to all humanitarian organizations, ]. BERNSTEIN, Detroit M. Bu.us, Chicago ]. BLUME, Boston has radically changed our program of rescue which wULhave · S. CAPLAN, Baltimore B. COHEN, St. Louis to be supplemented following our consultation with our •. A. w. KATOVSKY, Clevelancl 1 . . . ··- A. KIRZNER, Toronto J.ega and underground representatives abroad. ' ]. LEVITT, Los Angeles ;- L. LEVY, Los Angeles T. MEISEL, Mexico At this time, we wish to submit the following; M.s. OsHRY, RUBINSTEIN, Pittsburgh Montreal ;i.,: Rescue Ill:. Jews from -Poland !.nQ. Relief !!l Poland ..;. · Ever B. SHANE, Montreal ]. SIEGEL, Chicago H. TURK, Baltimore since the Nazi invasion of Poland, the Jewish Labor Committee, ]. WBISBERG, Cleveland through its anti-Nazi underground· channels in Poland and through the Ministry or Finance of the Polish Government in - Exile, has been $yste~atica11y _ ~-~----... ~-.,_--.,,-..,;._.:__.,,.,_, .. __ :-:.-.:--.. - - .- __ -__. c.~--.---·- .-~~~·-~-___,_____._~~---..---.-·-·-· ·~·-- · ·._..-~~~.~-'~"~·-L.: 0 •:: <· ·. "- · ~·_:;.,., .. -·, ,:;c:_,,,··-~)#'!~~ - - ·.-- : ::·:?~· .>.:'>_' :.:.-_----:-: ::~ ·.. -~~-; :;/_.-~_·'_ page - 2 -~ .. ,c,~r> ;··:····· .~-" . .s~_·: /}7 Polish underground and to members of t~~~;ewist\p~gpl:~l~~o ~~~>~;:: -"'- --~>,-· ___ '~-:--~-, ---:~;~·_·:_- .. ::d:::.:~::~gh~.:~0::1:0:::·:a:'be~ t~~~~·~~~~-~6~' .';ff .• embraas the thoue•nds ot Jews who, ••O"ping death l1Jl0.1~f~u.;. >.~.~ :::: :·:1 ::·::·:::::~ :::. ·::.::;:-::::·;1::.:·:,ff ·. l ::: o:::::P:•::m::.:~:, •:::.::. •: ::::::::.:~~ .the··· .· g: Rescue ~ France and Relief !.n France and Switzerland According • to the latest information received by us from Switzerland there are today about 500 anti-Nazi labor and political refugees in SW1tzerland who receive aid from the Jewish Labor Committee. Within the past few weeks 120 more persons crossed the French-Swiss border, and about 70 are waiting on the border for evacuation. Most of these people have Swiss visas secur~d for them by the Jewish Lapor Committee. As -____ , we already reported, some time ago a o~IIlmltt~e · .· to alleviate the distress of these refugees was formed in Geneva by a group of prominent French political :f'igiµ-es trade and union leaders, who are·themselves refugees from Nazism... The Jewish · Labor ·Committee is maintaimng close contact with the two friends in Switzerland, • Dr. B. Tchlenov-1 who is JI .,., ·.l\c .oqn•.•• ~•\•>*•''" ·•h'> '"-:'!!· ., •• -~-->···--';"<• · •. __ .:_ __ :;:-_::::::,-7~"'~.------• ·;.: ,-~,--·c,•:-t:[':{: 4 ::: the r!rnat1on~ Red Crose. 1~ ::~a;;;~d'.~;f~:~~'~;~i:;g~'!li,;: :1~1~0 Professor of the Uni vers1 ty of' Gene'}'a• J)Uz. c<)Hti~'t·nui~~f~t}i.}th.• /~,-~re:-·--- .. :L,_ f ' f French labor underground movement who w~s, uliti1 r~d$!l;~ft~ !fi&l A < -- 'J( ::::·;;,:::~:::::rm~:::~::::. ·:~:1:::~1:a::·~~tj~',:t· r. President• s Refugee Board, the rescue of people from P'rance into· :1' ·j_ Switzerland may be greatly expanded and thousands more Jews 1··- ant anti-Nazis res-cued. Through this Comm! ttee in SWltzerland~ and in cooperation with Dr. A. Freude~berg, representative of the Protestant Churches, and the Hungarian Social Democratic Party, the Jewish Labor Committee is now working on the evacuation ,·{ t" of people from Poland into Hungary. - Here, too, with the aid ' of the Pres1dent1 s Refugee Board and the Hungarian anti-Nazi underground, the evacuation process can be accelerated and thousands more refugees rescued. !2,: Relief for Refugees.!!!. Shanghai- There are tod.ay in Shanghai about 60 families - refugees from Poland ~ of prominent labor leaders, writers, teachers and scientist~, to:whom the. Jewish Labor Committee has been sending help._ It is our understanding that American c1 tizens who find themselves in Shanghai receive $50.00 'in~nthiY. :f~cim the American Government thnough the International Red Cross, a: nd with the aid of the Swiss Consulate. We, therefore, suggest that ways and means be found to give these sixty families - and a11 other_ refugees, status similar to_ that of United · States Ci ti_zens. The. Jewish Labor Comm! ttee ,_' and ·other _ __- _ _ .- -••_I i organizations which may be interested would de _it- thl. -- f 1•_-- ;.: - , pos mon y __ ,_- __ [ __ _ w1 th the In te rnati on al Red Croe e,. i,• ·~ ~!~:,·~l!Jl~•:4'•l); ~~M.•li~fi~~,;,~}.i:i •~' ;1if'' "f tii ---·- :·_·;t_ ·f "~~~ , page to the refugees in Shanghai who, ac:cora'1n1~· reports, receive no relief at all, an extremely tragic situation. These are the things that must be done Further plans Will supplement this. Sincerely yours, JEWISH LABOR COMMITTEE ~ ; Adolph Held, CHAIBMAN afoe/23076 obb JE\USH LABOR COMMITTEE 1 Messrs. Adolph Held and Leon Dennen' of the Jev;J.sh"Labor Committeg_ r:ere in this afternoon. Mr. Held is president of the Amalgamated"Bank ( oreanized by the Amalgamated Clothing Workers Union) and a director ·::>f the JLC. Mr. Dennen e:xo:>ects to go to Turkey shortly as a representa tive of t'.1e I1'ternationar Rescue & Relie:'.' Committee. Mr. Held st[cted that the Je-:lish Labor Committee 1 s Swiss associates had nany undergrounC:: contacts in Pole.nd and Hungary who vrere active in bringing reI'ugees' from ?oL~na into Hungary~ He said that this operation cost a_;;proximately ~200 per head and was f::.cilituted by the Polish government-in-ezile through its diplomatic- representatives in Budapest s.nci the underground moveLient in Poland. Both Mr. Held and Mr. Dennen statea that while they had hoped that the recent license issued to the:I,r Co:mnittee Kould f:acilitate this movement, it had not as yet done so as they have not yet been able to ·secure the requisite Swiss francs. They explained that the present free market is some\7here around, if n"t above 40¢, 2nd th3. t even e.t that rate fr1mcs were hard to get. They also stateci that th8'J had applied to the Federal Reserve Bank, but that they were told that cables would have to be sent to Switzerland,.· m1my questions answered, and considerable time consumed. They hoped that the Board could find some means of aiding them to overcome this obste.cle. Mr. Held said that he was familiar with refugee work, having been in Polanc[ aF the representative of the JDC and the HIAS between 1920 and 1925. He ste.ted that influential persons in the present Polish>government in-exile ~1ere active liberals in Poland at that time VTho had ta_ken strong acti(,n on be'Iialf of the Ukranian and Jewish minorities whose political rit:;hts were then under attack. Mr. Held said that hi:> organization had found the Polish government-in..:.exile extremely sympathetic and helpf'ul. Mr. Dennen will call again before leaving for Turkey; It i::: recommended that inunediate action be taken to supply the Jeriish ' Labor Conunittee with the Swiss" francs necessary to the effectuation or the tre.nsactions which have already been licensed. '--·------. =~ .:;-____~ ~:~-~:-~-- --'~-.:-,-~ - - '.--;. - ~l:: ~-<::~'-·t~--{ ·····;···· :'.t£···.::· "',,i~· ·'.·rn ;.;;t·!!. • ~-; ' ' ' ' ' Mr. nennen stated it was his View that should concentrate the wat; Refugee :Soard: immediately on the question of evacuations Turkey and temporary into · settlement of the refugees in that stated that his Committee country• j{e . had many reports and information in which they would be glad thmi .(Ues to make available to the war Refugee Board• lie will send at once certain reports and in.formation work:µlg that. may 1:>Ei helptul 'in ; up immediate projects. He also stated in that, if he is sU:ccess.t'til bbing deferred from the army, he is to take carry on of'£ shortly for Europe to rescue work for his Committee. It is contemplated the first countries that one <,G,t' .·· · · he w.1.11 visit is SWeden where he states many opportunities to there are• .. carry on· evacliation work from· Finland,. ·Norway even Poland through the port and .... ·.. of Danzig. He stated that; he w9uld contact the war Refugee Board before making any such trip. · · ' · · · · ': Mr• Denn~Jl stated that the W~ Refugee Board. should consider contacting the International Rescile . and Helie£ Committee, 2West 4.3rd St•:, __ ._.Jjl',/ Fe HOdel -~