ADSS 10.355 Alexander Easterman to Pius XII - Hungarian Jews face renewed deportation

News that the Hungarian government was under enormous pressure and further, that Regent Horthy was looking at ways to extricate Hungary from its alliance with Germany, spread quickly.  The World Jewish Congress was well-informed and appealed directly to the pope urging him to speak out in order to avoid the resumption of deportations.  One day later the German-backed Arrow Cross deposed Horthy's regency and installed a pro-Nazi government.  The Hungarian Holocaust resumed immediately.

Alexander Easterman, Secretary of the World Jewish Congress to Pope Pius XII

Reference: Telegram 996 (AES 6915/44)

Location and date: London, 14.10.1944 @16.35 (Rec’d Rome 16.10.1944 @ 11.30)

Summary statement: Request intervention for the Jews of Hungary.

Language: English

Text:

Desperate appeals reaching us save surviving Jews in Hungary. (1) Germans now preparing carry out plans deporting three hundred thousand men, women, children.  Your Holiness intervention by public call in name of humanity may avert this appalling tragedy.  We are sure our ill fated innocent people will not appeal in vain for utmost and urgent last hour efforts save them from doom. (2)

Notes:

(1) See ADSS 10.321, notes.

(2) See ADSS 10.362.