Reference: Report nr 2611/44 (N Pr
972) (AES 1157/45)
Location and date: Budapest,
27.11.1944
Summary statement: Joint request by
the neutral powers to end the persecution is not hopeful. (Attached) Nuncio has issued 13,000 letters of
protection. Fanaticism of Arrow Cross
fascists.
Language: Italian and French
Text:
I think it appropriate to send a
copy of the Memorandum presented on 17.11.1944 to the Head of State, Mr Szalasi,
so that there is a record should the archive of the Nunciature be destroyed.
(1)
The aforementioned Memorandum,
mentioned in my telegram number 324 (2) was presented by the Swedish Minister
(3) and I, in the name of the Representatives of the Neutral Nations who had
met at the Nunciature twice to discuss the matter. In summary it is a description of the real
state of affairs rather than an exaggeration.
There is no hope for a practical result given the material mentality of
religious ignorance and the fanatical hatred against the Jews by the Arrow
Cross (4), which in the execution of the orders issued
to them were enacted with a really
incredible brutality. It [the memorandum] was decided upon to make an
act propelled by civil and Christian conscience.
Notes:
(1) See Appendix.
(2) ADSS 10.407.
(3) Carl Ivan Danielsson
(1880-1963), Swedish Minister in Budapest 1942-45. Danielsson was named “Righteous Among the
Nations” in 1982.
(4) See ADSS 10.265 n3.
(5) Ibid n8.
(6)
Appendix: (French)
From the Nunciature to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Budapest, 17.11.1944.
The Representatives of the
Neutral Powers accredited in Budapest (7) have the honour to address the Royal
Government of Hungary with the following:
When, in August, roughly
half a million Jews had already been deported outside of Hungary and the
governments of the Neutral Countries had positive information on what the
deportations really meant, the Representatives of the aforementioned Powers
made a collective approach to the Royal Hungarian Government to prevent the
resumption of deportation. The approach
was then welcomed, and hundreds of thousands of lives were saved.
In the aftermath of 15
October the new Hungarian Government and His Excellency, Mr Szalasi himself,
made categorical and solemn declarations that there would be no deportation or
annihilation of the Jews. Despite this
the representatives of the Neutral Powers learned from absolutely reliable
sources that the deportation of all Jews was again determined and it is pushed
with a fierce energy, while the whole world is witness to the brutalities that
accompany its execution (small children are torn from their mothers, the
elderly and sick forced to sleep in the rain or in adequate shelter, men and
women left for days without food, tens of thousands of people crammed into a
single workshops, women violated, shootings etc)
Now, as was the case in
summer, it is said that it is no deportation, but compulsory labour
abroad. The Representatives of the
Neutral Powers know very well the horrible reality that lies for these
unfortunate people and that hides under this name. Moreover, all it would take would be to see
that even small children, the elderly and the sick are also taken, to be
convinced that it [“forced labour] is not working, while the atrocities, which
accompany the transport well, predict the ending of this tragic exodus.
Faced with the enormities,
the Representatives of the Neutral Powers can not evade the duty imposed on the
by a sense of humanity and Christian charity, to express their deepest regret
with to the Royal Hungarian Government and ask:
1. that the decision to
deport the Jews be revoked and that measures be taken to execute an immediate
suspension, so that the unfortunate people who have taken far from their homes
can return as soon as possible;
2. only people for reasons
of employment should be required to reside in concentration camps with suitable
and humane treatment (food and adequate shelter, health and religious
assistance, respect for their lives etc);
3. full and genuine
implementation of the provisions dictated by the Royal Hungarian Government in
favour of the Jews who under the protection of the Legations accredited to
Budapest. (8) In fact, incidents of violations are increasing, and it is really
surprising to see the contempt that junior employees show towards the orders
given by higher authorities.
The Representatives of the
Neutral Powers hope that the Royal Hungarian Government will understand this
approach and return to the declarations and promises of His Excellency Mr
Szalasi. This approach is not only
inspired by a sense of compassion for the persecuted Jews, but also by a
sentiment of profound commitment to Hungary, that we would like see free from
an action that would defile its glorious history forever. And the government that now bears the heavy
responsibility of the people’s future may wish to spare them the calamities to
which they would be exposed to reprisals which the Powers at war with Hungary
have threatened should the deportation or annihilation of the Jews continue
(without saying that the eventual occupiers of Hungary might apply the same
methods to the people of Hungary).
For their part, the
Representatives of the neutral Powers, have no other purpose than to help
relieve human suffering and intensify their efforts to assist victims of the
war. However the response that the
Hungarian Government makes to this approach is bound to have great influence on
their policies with regard to the Hungarian people; and if they respond
favourably it will be a stimulus that will push them to work with greater
effort and for the good of the Hungarian people, especially in the painful case
of the expansion of foreign occupation.
The Representatives of the
Neutral Powers are confident that the noble Hungarian Nation, resuming their
ancient Christian traditions, will want, even in this difficult time, to be
faithful to the principles and methods that have made Hungary a civilised
country, admired by the whole world.
Note of Tardini:
26.02.1945 Seen by the Holy
Father.
01.03.1945. Bravo Monsignor
Rotta! Will we share this document with
Osborne and Mr Taylor? What do they say?
Notes:
(7) The copy of this
aide-memoire does not have signatures.
(8) The journal “Uj Magyarsag” on 12.11.1944 published the following:
“In conformity with an
agreement concluded by the Government (Hungarian) with the Neutral States,
those Jews who are under the protection of the neutral Legations and who can
prove this by showing a temporary passport, a letter of protection or a
protection passport with a photograph, with the Legation seal, and an authentic
signature, are permitted to enter a house marked with the Yellow Star reserved
for them, before 15 November. The Jews
protected by the foreign Legations can contact the Association of Hungarian
Jews for information about the residences reserved for them. The authorities do not expect these Jews to
move to new residences. All Jews
interested in the residences, can freely chose whether or not they wish to move
into the new residences. However, those Jews who do not want to go into the
Jewish homes before 15 November, will permanently lose the protections of the
neutral Legations, and, consequently, will be subject to the strict measures
applied against them by the Government.”
(Communicated to Amleto
Cicognani, Apostolic Delegate USA by Kurt R Grossmann (1897-1972), Assistant of
the “Rescue Department” of the World Jewish Congress.)
Grossman added “The report
proves that the protection documents granted by the neutral governments have
lapsed, at least outwardly, but may have benefited the Hungarian Jews. I share this news with your Excellency in the
hope that the Holy See will continue with its commendable efforts on behalf of
the Jews.
Cicognani in turn sent the
text to Tardini on 12.01.1945. (Nr 125/45, AES 1064/45).
A separate document has a
note by Montini:
“12.01.1945. Certificates of
protection issued by the Budapest nunciature for the Jews (16,000). Is this true?
Mons. Verolino?”
Gennaro Verolino
(1906-2005), who had been attaché to the Budapest Nunciature confirmed:
“08.12.1945: The Hungarian government had granted the exemptions and facilities
to the Jews who held passports or other documents of protection issued by the
Foreign Legations. On the basis of this
concession, the Apostolic Nunciature granted over 15,000 letters of protection
during the Szalasi regime.” (AES Comm. Socc)
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