Paul O'Shea is an Australian based historian who has written on Pope Pius XII and Catholic responses to the Holocaust for over fifteen years. This blog is designed to be a place of balanced and reliable scholarship on Pius XII and his papacy during World War II and the Holocaust.
Yesterday my school community commemorated ANZAC Day at a special assembly attended by our local Federal Member, Craig Laundy.
Australian schools mark ANZAC Day on their calendars as part of our civic education of our students. It is an occasion to stop and remember people that, in inner-west Sydney, have little direct connection with many of our students, but who nonetheless have become part of the fabric of the narrative of Australian identity. My school is made up of young people who reflect in their cultural diversity the tapestry of multi-cultural Australia. Our Australian-Armenian students sit alongside our Australian-Turkish students in exactly the same way our Italo-Australians, Arabic-Australians, Australian-Greeks and Anglo-Celtic-Australians do. Memories of ancient conflicts are precisely that, memories, that for the most part lie quietly and peacefully. Many of our young people have a greater resilience than many to accept, absorb and understand issues of justice and peace than many others. If our schools are places where they can learn about our collective histories in a safe environment, then may be as adults they will be willing to stand up and speak the truth.
I teach in a Good Samaritan - Benedictine school that is part of the network of Catholic schools across Sydney. It is a faith-based school and our ANZAC Ceremony wove elements of the religious and civic dimensions of ANZAC Day into the ritual.
The ceremony began with Acknowledgement of Country, the Procession of the Cross and then the flags of Australia, Indigenous Australia followed by Turkey, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The Paschal Candle was lit symbolising the presence of the Risen Christ who triumphed over death. "Advance Australia Fair" was sung and our senior history student lead the proceedings. "Voices from Gallipoli" allowed students to name their relatives who fought in the 1914-1918 War as well as other conflicts. From the Auditorium we moved to the front lawn of the school where each student and member of staff along with guests, planted a field of poppies. Each hand-made poppy carried the name of an Australian who fought and died at Gallipoli. We stood in silence as we remembered. Another student played the Last Post, the flags were lowered, and we prayed for peace.
I was enormously proud of the students.
That evening I attended another commemoration at Sydney Town Hall. I was honoured to be present for the centenary of the Armenian Genocide Commemoration. Among the various speakers two constant themes played over and over - what happened between 1915-1923 was not a tragedy; it was a crime. The second theme was the sense of disbelief and shame that the Australian Government is unwilling to recognise the Genocide using a smorgasbord of excuses and paltry rationalisations. As an Australian I am embarrassed at the Commonwealth Government's position. It has echoes of the Howard government's refusal to apologise to Indigenous Australians for the policy of forced removal of children that took place here over most of the twentieth century.
Geoffrey Robertson was the key note speaker who said in his elegant and eloquent way, that the Armenian Genocide is a crime that demands an answer; it will not go away. No sane person, he said, denies the historical truth that a genocide occurred. It was planned and executed by the agents of the Ottoman Empire - there is no question about it.
For the first time I felt the power of the Armenian cry: I Remember, I Demand.
I have copied Professor Colin Tatz's article "Out of Step" published for ANZAC Day. Colin is a long-time advocate for recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
The Conversation
24 April 2015
Out of Step
Colin Tatz
There's no escaping the media
blitz on the centenary of Gallipoli. That's understandable. Less easy to grasp
is the way we shut our eyes to the simultaneous events in the same country: the
Turkish genocide of 1.5 million Armenians, between 750,000 and 900,000 Greeks, and between
275,000 and 400,000 Christian Assyrians.
Last June, Foreign Minister Julie
Bishop reassured the Australian Turkish Advocacy Alliance that "we do not
recognise these events as a 'genocide'". Australia, she wrote, has a
long-standing approach "not to become involved in this sensitive
debate". Minister Bishop is wrong on two counts: the genocide doesn't warrant
quotation marks, and what happened is no more of a debate than the realities of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. She is right on two points. First, Australia
has misconceived the Turkish reaction as merely "sensitive" when in
fact their ferocious denial is a vital lie, one that goes to the very essence
of the modern Turkish Republic. Second, we refuse to join in the moral reaction
of other democracies which officially recognise the catastrophe. Many of our
friends and allies— Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden,
Switzerland, the Vatican — have adopted a moral stance rather than a foreign
policy ploy in recognising those events as the Armenian Genocide.
Tonight Geoffrey Robertson QC will
address the centenary commemoration in the Sydney Town Hall on "An
Inconvenient Genocide", the title of his recent book. The Turkish Military
Tribunal of 1919–1920 initially tried 112
people, including the "Big Seven" leaders of the Ittihad ve Terakki Party, as well as members of wartime cabinets,
provincial governors, and high-ranking military and political officers. The
principal charges were "massacres and unlawful, personal
profiteering" therefrom. (The word "genocide" was not coined
until 1944.) While lamenting the destruction or disappearance of much of the
trial transcript material, Robertson argues that the surviving records "do
serve as a reminder of the time when Turks were prepared to confront their
criminal past".
By
early 2015, 22 nation-states had officially recognised the Genocide, as had 43
of 50 American state governments, and two of Australia’s six state parliaments –
New South Wales and South Australia. Recognition has also come from the
European Parliament, the Council of Europe, the World Council of Churches, and
the International Association of Genocide Scholars. Some countries have
criminalised denial of the event. Is it conceivable that these nations and
reputable bodies have got it wrong, or been hoodwinked by a conspiracy by those
who wish Turkey ill? The
"debate" question is a manufactured debate. As with the tobacco
industry, and more latterly, the global warming deniers, the tactic is to
inject the assertion that not all scientists agree, and suddenly there is a
"debate" — or the Bishop-like insistence that "we" simply
do not "recognise these events" and do not stoop to explain why.
For
decades the Turkish government has lobbied the American Congress not to pass a
resolution recognising the Genocide. It requires a two-thirds majority to pass
and each year the required number comes closer. Individual Presidents — like
Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter — and senior figures like Hilary Clinton have
used the "g" word, and it seems likely that Congressional recognition
is not far away.
True, the
countries that have recognised the Genocide do not have our especial
Australian–Turkish relationship. Our "mutual alliance" is borne out
of Australia's somewhat bizarre notion that we were not a nation until the
disaster of Gallipoli: somehow all that happened between 1788 and 1915 counted
for very little, and nationhood began at Anzac Cove. This
"brothers-in-war" theme in Australian life may have its place, but it
cannot be sustained by Australian complicity in the juggernaut of often
thuggish and aggressive Turkish denialism.
In the 1980s,
the state of Maine mandated school textbooks on the Holocaust. The title of one
text was "Facing History and Ourselves", a powerful argument that
relationships can only "move on" once the disputants have faced their
histories. Australians have a strong proclivity not to remember, or to refuse
to remember, the dark side of history, as with the eras of physical killings of
Aborigines and, later, the forcible removal of their children.
Gladys
Berejeklian is now Treasurer of New South Wales. Joe Hockey is national
Treasurer. Both are of Armenian descent and both have worked assiduously for a
reasoned recognition of historical realities. Hockey has so far been rebuffed
in his steadfast efforts. It is just possible that in his lifetime he will get
a hearing in Federal Cabinet, that the incontrovertible evidence will penetrate
our foreign policy strategists, that governments will see that they won't fall
at elections because sections of the Turkish community — none of whom has had
anything whatever to do with the events of 1915 to 1923 — is either upset or
vengeful, or both.
ADSS 1.28 Cesare Orsenigo (1), Germany to Luigi Maglione, Sec State.
Reference: Telegram 322,
(AES 2390/39)
Location and date: Berlin,
06.05.1939
Summary statement: Hitler
delays reply regarding the project of a papal peace conference.
Language: Italian
Text:
In yesterday’s conversation,
the Chancellor listened with attention to my communication; and first of all
begged me to thank the Holy Father for his message.Then he added he could not give an immediate
answer as he wanted first to speak with Mussolini about it.
The Foreign Minister (2)
asked me to see that no mention was made in the Press, including the Vatican
newspaper, of my conversation with the Chancellor.
Report follows. (3)
Notes:
(1) Cesare Orsenigo
(1873-1946), Nuncio to Germany 1930-45.
(2) Joachim Ribbentrop
(1893-1946), German Foreign Minister 1938-45.
ADSS 1.27 D’Arcy Osborne, UK Minister to Domenico Tardini, Sec State.
Reference: AES 2386/39
Location and date: Rome,
06.05.1939.Rec’d 18.30.
Summary statement: First
British reply to conference project.
Language: English
Text:
1. The preliminary reaction
of Mr Chamberlain and Lord Halifax is one of warm appreciation of the courage
and faith displayed in the Pope’s initiative.
2. It is understood that the
purpose underlying the suggested conference is to afford an opportunity for
discussion of the questions of Danzig and Franco-Italian relations.In these matters His Majesty’s Government are
not immediately concerned as principals, and would therefore desire, before
returning an official reply to the Vatican, to have an opportunity of
exchanging views with the French and Polish Governments.Lord Halifax would be glad to know whether
these Governments have already been approached buy the Vatican and whether His
Majesty’s Government are therefore at liberty to consult them.
3. He would also be
interested to learn whether His Holiness had any ideas of suggestions as to
where the suggested conference should meet, who would preside over it, and
whether there were any question of its being held in Rome under Vatican
auspices, i.e. presumably, in the Vatican City.
4. Lord Halifax also
ventures to express the hope that His Holiness, when the project takes final
shape, will have due regard to the position and feelings of the President of
the United States.
5. A principle difficulty
foreseen by Lord Halifax lies in the possible reactions of those who might
detect in the proposed conference an introduction to what they would fear would
prove to be another Munich Conference, and he hopes that, when the project
matures, His Holiness will have particular regard to this danger. (1)
Notes:
(1) This memo substantially
reproduces Lord Halifax’s dispatch of 05.05.1939 to Orsborne.Cf DBFP, Series 3, Volume 5, n380, pp435-36.
ADSS
1.26 Valerio Valeri, France to Luigi Maglione, Sec State
Reference: Report Number
8160, (AES 2497/39)
Location and date: Paris,
05.05.1939
Summary statement: French
Foreign Ministry expresses reservations on papal peace proposal. Prospects of a
Franco-Italian understanding.
Language: Italian
Text:
As I have already reported
to your Eminence (1) this morning, I was received at about 11.00 by M. Bonnet,
the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
I mentioned to him,
according to the instructions received, that the Holy Father had decided to
send a message to the five Powers: France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and
Poland inviting them to meet a t conference to try to solve the outstanding
problems between Germany and Poland on the one hand, Italy and France on the
other and all the questions arising from them.The aim of this message and invitation to peace was only to dispel the
danger of war and to substitute a period of fruitful collaboration in place of
the present disagreements.I asked him
then how the French Government would receive the Pope’s invitation.
The Minister asked also if
the Holy See thought that there was an imminent danger of war.I replied: “A month ago the Holy See did not
velieve there was this danger, but now it seems that there has been a change of
opinion if the Hoy Father has taken this decision”.M. Bonnet explained to me that M. Gafencu (4)
had informed him, through the Rumanian Ambassador, M. Tatarescu (5) that your
Eminence told him that the Holy See was afraid that the German Government would
try a coup de main in Danzig. (6)
I replied: “Should this
happen do you think that war would blow up?”
M. Bonnet replied: “With
every probability, not to say almost certainly.”
I added: “You see then, how
well founded is the Holy See’s fear”.
The Minister then pointed
out that he did not have news about any military preparations by Germany in the
direction of Danzig, although one should keep in mind that Germany could strike
quickly with its motorised units, and also, he added, that he thought that M.
Beck – who was speaking at that very moment and for which the Minister was
awaiting a French translation as soon as parts were ready – would keep to a
very moderate tone. (7)
He then mentioned Italy by
saying that the recent news was much better and that the fullest attention
should be directed towards it, according to his opinion, because Germany Italy
together could do very little against the combination of the Democratic Powers,
but Germany without Italy could do nothing.Now according to the news in his possession, a strong current in Italy
at present was against a union with Germany, and this not only amongst the
people but also amongst some members of the Government. M. Bonnet alluded to
the conversation of M. Ponçet (8) had a few days ago with M. Ciano (9) from
which it would appear that Italy would ask only for a free port in Djibouti
with certain rights on the railway to Addis Ababa, for the appointment of two
members to the Board of Suez Canal Company and the re-establishment of the
convention system for the Italians in Tunisia. (10)
The Minister concluded, “On
these three points I think in principle that we could come to an
understanding”.Then he added that a
peace message from the Pope could have a great influence on the Italian people,
but it was possible that elsewhere it cold be interpreted as a sign of weakness
amongst the Democratic Powers.
I mentioned to him that such
a rumour would not be possible because the Holy Father was addressing himself
not only to the Democratic Powers but also to the totalitarian ones.
We agreed that I should
return to see him this evening after 19.30.
As I was coming out Mr
Phipps, the British Ambassador was coming in to see M. Bonnet.
I had only just returned
home when M. Bonnet telephoned and seemed I a much more disturbed frame of mind
than during our conversation; he asked me to ask your Excellency that the
message should not be sent without our meeting again this evening. (12)He also made a reference to the United
States, which I countered with the observation that such powers, that is the
democratic ones, already outnumbered the others by two to one (that is among
those to whom the Papal message was being addressed).
Notes:
(1) ADSS 1.25
(2) Albert Lebrun
(1871-1950) President of France 1932-40.
(9) Galeazzo Ciano
(1903-1944), Italian Foreign Minister 1936-43.
(10) Italy’s claims were a
part of a broader imperial expansion campaign in Northern Africa. See also DBFP, Series 3, Volume 5, n298, p
347.
(11) Eric Phipps (1875-1945),
British Ambassador to France 1937-39.
(12) Compare the despatch
from Phipps to Halifax on the latest interview at the Quai d’Orsay in DBFP,
Series 3, Volume 5, n418, pp 467-68.And
ibid n570, p611: “The recent
initiative of Pius XII is not altogether felicitous, but the Pope could be
useful in the future, considering the fact that Poland is a Catholic country”.
Address by Jozef Beck,
Polish Foreign Minister to the Polish Parliament.
2. On the other hand it was precisely that swift
development of events that prompted me to postpone a public declaration until
such time as the principal problems of our foreign policy had taken on a more
definite form.
3. The consequences of the weakening of
collective international institutions and of a complete change in the method of
intercourse between nations, which I have reported on several occasions in the
Houses, caused many new problems to arise in different parts of the world. That
process and its results have in recent months reached the borders of Poland.
4. A very general definition of these phenomena
may be given by saying that relations between individual Powers have taken on a
more individual character, with their own specific features. The general rules
have been weakened. One nation simply speaks more and more directly to another.
5. As far as we are concerned, very serious
events have taken place. Our contact with some Powers has become easier and
more profound, while in some cases serious difficulties have arisen. Looking at
things chronologically, I refer, in the first place, to our agreement with the
United Kingdom, with Great Britain. After repeated diplomatic contacts,
designed to define the scope and object of our future relations, we reached on
the occasion of my visit to London a direct agreement based on the principle of
mutual assistance in the event of a direct or indirect threat to the independence
of one of our countries. The formula of the agreement is known to you from the
declaration of Mr. Neville Chamberlain of the 6th April, the text of which was
drafted by mutual agreement and should be regarded as a pact concluded between
the two Governments. I consider it my duty to add that the form and character
of the comprehensive conversations held in London give a particular value to
the agreement. I should like Polish public opinion to be aware that I found on
the part of British statesmen not only a profound knowledge of the general
political problems of Europe, but also such an attitude towards our country as
permitted me to discuss all vital problems with frankness and confidence
without any reservations or doubts.
6. It was possible to establish rapidly the
principles of Polish-British collaboration, first of all because we made it
clear to each other that the intentions of both Governments coincide as regards
fundamental European problems; certainly, neither Great Britain nor Poland have
any aggressive intentions whatever, but they stand equally firmly in defence of
certain basic principles of conduct in international life.
7. The parallel declarations of French political
leaders confirm that it is agreed between Paris and Warsaw that the efficacy of
our defence pact not only cannot be adversely affected by changes in the
international situation, but, on the contrary, that this agreement should
constitute one of the most essential elements in the political structure of
Europe. The Polish-British Agreement has been employed by the Chancellor of the
German Reich as the pretext for unilaterally declaring non-existent the
agreement which the Chancellor of the Reich concluded with us in 1934.
8. Before passing to the present stage of this
matter, allow me to sketch a brief historical outline.
9. The fact that I had the honour actively to
participate in the conclusion and execution of that pact imposes on me the duty
of analysing it. The pact of 1934 was a great event in 1934. It was an attempt
to improve the course of history as between two great nations, an attempt to
escape from the unwholesome atmosphere of daily discord and wider hostile
intentions, to rise above the animosity which had accumulated for centuries,
and to create deep foundations of mutual respect. An endeavour to oppose evil
is always the best form of political activity.
10. The policy of Poland proved our respect for
that principle in the most critical moments of recent times.
11. From this point of view, Gentlemen, the
breaking off of that pact is not an insignificant matter. However, every treaty
is worth as much as the consequences which follow it. And if the policy and
conduct of the other party diverges from the principles of the pact, we have no
reason for mourning its slackening or dissolution. The Polish-German Pact of
1934 was a treaty of mutual respect and good neighbourly relations, and as such
it contributed a positive value to the life of our country, of Germany, and of
the whole of Europe. But since there has appeared a tendency to interpret it as
limiting the freedom of our policy, or as a ground for demanding from us
unilateral concessions contrary to our vital interests, it has lost its real
character.
12. Let us now pass to the present situation.
The German Reich has taken the mere fact of the Polish-British understanding as
a motive for the breaking off of the pact of 1934. Various legal objections
were raised on the German side. I will take the liberty of referring jurists to
the text of our reply to the German memorandum, which will be handed to-day to
the German Government. I will not detain you any longer on the diplomatic form
of this event, but one of its aspects has a special significance. The Reich
Government, as appears from the text of the German memorandum, made its
decision on the strength of press reports, without consulting the views of
either the British or the Polish Government as to the character of the
agreement concluded. It would not have been difficult to do so, for immediately
on my return from London I expressed my readiness to receive the German
Ambassador, who has hitherto not availed himself of the opportunity.
13. Why is this circumstance important? Even for
the simplest understanding it is clear that neither the character nor the
purpose and scope of the agreement influenced this decision, but merely the
fact that such an agreement had been concluded. And this in turn is important
for an appreciation of the objects of German policy, since if, contrary to
previous declarations, the Government of the Reich interpreted the
Polish-German declaration of non-aggression of 1934 as intended to isolate
Poland and to prevent the normal friendly collaboration of our country with
Western Powers, we ourselves should always have rejected such an interpretation.
14. To make a proper estimate of the situation,
we should first of all ask the question, what is the real object of all this?
Without that question and our reply, we cannot properly appreciate the
character of German statements with regard to matters of concern to Poland. I
have already referred to our attitude towards the West. There remains the
question of the German proposals as to the future of the Free City of Danzig,
the communication of the Reich with East Prussia through our province of Pomorze,
and the further subjects raised as of common interest to Poland and Germany.
15. Let us, therefore, investigate these
problems in turn.
16. As to Danzig, first some general remarks.
The Free City of Danzig was not invented by the Treaty of Versailles. It has
existed for many centuries as the result-to speak accurately, and rejecting the
emotional factor-of the positive interplay of Polish and German interests. The
German merchants of Danzig ensured the development and prosperity of that city,
thanks to the overseas trade of Poland. Not only the development, but the very
raison d'être of the city has been due to the formerly decisive fact of its
situation at the mouth of our only great river, and to-day to its position on
the main waterway and railway line connecting us with the Baltic. This is a
truth which no new formulae can obliterate. The population of Danzig is to-day
predominantly German, but its livelihood and prosperity depend on the economic
potential of Poland.
17. What conclusions have we drawn from this
fact? We have stood and stand firmly on the ground of the rights and interests
of our sea-borne trade and our maritime policy in Danzig. While seeking
reasonable and conciliatory solutions, we have purposely not endeavoured to
exert any pressure on the free national, ideological and cultural development
of the German majority in the Free City.
18. I shall not prolong this speech by quoting
examples. They are sufficiently well-known to all who have been in any way
concerned with the question. But when, after repeated statements by German
statesmen, who had respected our standpoint and expressed the view that
"this provincial town will not be the object of a conflict between Poland
and Germany," I hear a demand for the annexation of Danzig to the Reich,
when I receive no reply to our proposal of the 26th March for a joint guarantee
of the existence and rights of the Free City, and subsequently I learn that
this has been regarded as a rejection of negotiations-I have to ask myself,
what is the real object of all this?
19. Is it the freedom of the German population
of Danzig, which is not threatened, or a matter of prestige-or is it a matter
of barring Poland from the Baltic, from which: Poland will not allow herself to
be barred?
20. The same considerations apply to
communication across our province of Pomorze. I insist on the term
"province of Pomorze." The word "corridor" is an artificial
invention, for this is an ancient Polish territory with an insignificant
percentage of German colonists.
21. We have given the German Reich all railway
facilities, we have allowed its citizens to travel without customs or passport
formalities from the Reich to East Prussia. We have suggested the extension of
similar facilities to road traffic.
22. And here again the question arises-what is
the real object of it all?
23. We have no interest in obstructing German
citizens in their communication with their eastern province. But we have, on
the other hand, no reason whatever to restrict our sovereignty on our own territory.
24. On the first and second points, i.e., the
question of the future of Danzig and of communication across Pomorze, it is
still a matter of unilateral concessions which the Government of the Reich
appear to be demanding from us. A self-respecting nation does not make
unilateral concessions. Where, then, is the reciprocity? It appears somewhat
vague in the German proposals. The Chancellor of the Reich mentioned in his
speech a triple condominium in Slovakia. I am obliged to state that I heard this
proposal for the first time in the Chancellor's speech of the 28th April. In
certain previous conversations allusions were merely made to the effect that in
the event of a general agreement the question of Slovakia could be discussed.
We did not attempt to go further with such conversations, since it is not our
custom to bargain with the interests of others. Similarly, the proposal for a
prolongation of the pact of non-aggression for twenty-five years was also not
advanced in any concrete form in any of the recent conversations. Here also
unofficial hints were made, emanating, it is true, from prominent
representatives of the Reich Government. But in such conversations various
other hints were made which extended much further than the subjects under discussion.
I reserve the right to return to this matter if necessary.
25. In his speech the Chancellor of the Reich
proposes, as a concession on his part, the recognition and definite acceptance
of the present frontier between Poland and Germany. I must point out that this
would have been a question of recognising what is de jure and de facto our
indisputable property. Consequently, this proposal likewise cannot affect my
contention that the German desiderata regarding Danzig and a motor road
constitute unilateral demands.
26. In the light of these explanations, the
House will rightly expect from me an answer to the last passage of the German
memorandum, which says: "Should the Polish Government attach importance to
a new settlement of Polish-German relations by means of a treaty, the German
Government are prepared to do this." It appears to me that I have already
made clear our attitude, but for the sake of order I will make a resume.
27. The motive for concluding such an agreement
would be the word "peace," which the Chancellor emphasised in his
speech.
28. Peace is certainly the object of the
difficult and intensive work of Polish diplomacy. Two conditions are necessary
for this word to be of real value: (1) peaceful intentions, (2) peaceful
methods of procedure. If the Government of the Reich is really guided by those
two pre-conditions in relation to this country, then all conversations,
provided, of course, that they respect the principles I have already
enumerated, are possible.
29. If such conversations took place, the Polish
Government will, according to their custom, approach the problem objectively,
having regard to the experience of recent times, but without withholding their
utmost goodwill.
30. Peace is a valuable and desirable thing. Our
generation, which has shed its blood in several wars, surely deserves a period
of peace. But peace, like almost everything in this world, has its price, high
but definable. We in Poland do not recognize the conception of "peace at
any price." There is only one thing in the life of men, nations and States
which is without price, and that is honour.
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