ADSS 10.375 Amleto Cicognani, USA to Sec State - Slovak and Hungarian Jews

For ease of reading I have set out note 3 with more space.  It is a time line of action and reaction as the Vatican attempted to find out what had happened to Jews holding American (USA & Latin America) passports and citizenship.  For more details see the USHMM, Holocaust Research Project and Dachau KZ.

10.375 Amleto Cicognani, Ap Del USA to Secretariat of State

Reference: Telegram nr 2434 (AES 7047/44)

Location and date: Washington, 25.10.1944 @ 17.00, received Rome 26.10.1944 @ 13.00.

Summary statement: Request for information from USA War Refugee Board on the Jews of Slovakia and intervention for the Jews of Hungary.

Language: Italian

Text:

The Director of the official government agency for refugees (1) requests the Holy See to pass on any relevant information about 400 Jews holding Latin American citizenship or passports (Salvador, Paraguay), arrested in Bratislava interned in Mariathal who were transferred from that city to Germany around the 08.10.1944. (2) The Director would be grateful if the Holy See would make this information available to the representatives of the United States in Berne and Madrid. (3)

We continue to hear news of unceasing massacres of Non-Aryans in Hungary.  The Jewish Committees beg the Holy See to proclaim that churches in Hungary are shelters with the law of asylum and bishops and priests are to receive Jews to save them from death. (4)

Notes:

(1) John William Pehle (1910-1990). A memorandum from Myron Taylor (1863-1959), personal representative of President Roosevelt to the Holy See, dated 28.10.1944, recounting the news was sent by the War Refugee Board, and passed to the Pope on the same day. (AES 7093/44)

(2) Giuseppe Burzio (1901-1966), Charge D’affaires, Bratislava (1941-1945) telegraphed the nunciature in Berne on 30.10.1944 (telegram nr 740/102; AES 7047/44).  Burzio said the Jews in question had been transferred to an unknown destination in Germany.

(3) This document has not been found. 

Taylor urged the Holy See to intervene. (Memorandum, 15.11.1944, nr 267; AES 7627/44; nr 396).

Domenico Tardini (1888-1961) asked for more information from Burzio (telegram nr 110, 16.11.1944; AES 7300/44).

On the 16.11.1944 Amleto Cicognani (1883-1973), Apostolic Delegate to the USA (1933-1959) asked for the intervention of the Holy See on behalf of the Red Cross to send parcels to 250 Non-Aryans holding South American passports and resident in Bergen Belsen (telegram nr 2466; AES 7694/44).

Tardini asked Cesare Orsenigo (1873-1946), nuncio to Germany (1933-1945), for help on 21.11.1944 (telegram nr 1019; AES 7694/44).

Tardini then informed Cicognani on 29.11.1944 that the Slovak government did not know the destination of the Jews deported to Germany (telegram nr 2013; AES 7700/44).

On 05.12.1944 Burzio telegraphed that a census of the deportees was underway and that only 13 had been recognised as United States citizens; they were possibly resident in Bergen Belsen, Hanover (telegram nr 122; AES 8087/44). 

At the same time Orsenigo replied to the Secretariat of State: “The Government notes that the Jews referred to in telegram 1019, and who hold passports of South American republics, are citizens of those republics and as such come under the care of the protecting power” (telegram nr 367, 05.12.1944; AES 8100/44). 

Burzio sent a list of the deported people in a letter shortly after (letter nr 2434, 16.12.1944, AES 934/45). He pointed out that for the most part American – USA and Latin America – citizenship or passports, had for the most part, not been taken into consideration.  He confirmed that the thirteen US citizens were in Bergen Belson camp, near Celle, Hanover.

(4) See ADSS 10.376.

ADSS 10.369 Tardini to Bernardini, Switzerland - Slovak and Hungarian Jews

10.369 Domenico Tardini to Filippo Bernardini, Switzerland.

Reference: Telegram nr: 696 (AES 6913/44)

Location and date: Vatican, 23.10.1944

Summary statement: Efforts of the Holy See for the Jews of Hungary and Slovakia.

Language: Italian

Text:

I request your Excellency to communicate this to the Apostolic Delegate in Turkey.

Number 226. I received telegram 212. (1) The Apostolic Nunciature in Bratislava was quickly interested in the situation of the Jews in Sered camp. (2)

I can assure your Excellency that the Holy See, despite increasing difficulties with communication, continues to follow with particular attention the fate of the Slovak and Hungarian Jews and will leave no stone unturned to bring relief to such persons. (3) 

Notes:

(1) The Jewish Agency in Jerusalem sent a message to the Delegate in Istanbul on 14.10.1944, with news that “over 5,000 Jews are concentrated in a camp at Sered and about 2,000 of them are at risk of deportation, which means certain death.  We respectfully ask you to transmit our request to the Secretariat of State of the Holy See to intervene on behalf of those 2,000 Jews and save them from deportation and death”. (Archives of the Istanbul Delegate)  On 18.10.1944 Filippo Bernardini telegraphed the Vatican (telegram nr 444, AES 6913/44): “The Apostolic Delegate in Turkey has sent the following: Number 212: I received telegram 219. “Holy See urgently requested to intercede to Jews in Sered camp Slovakia, threatened with deportation and death”.

(2) On 22.10.1944 Tardini telegraphed Bernardini (telegram nr 697; AES 6914/44): “I ask you to communicate the following to the Apostolic Nunciature in Bratislava: “The Holy See is urged to intercede for the Jews interned in Sered concentration camp and who are threatened with deportation and death.  I ask your Excellency to take the steps you deem most appropriate and then inform me of any news”.

(3) Apostolic Delegate to the UK, William Godfrey had already written to Chief Rabbi Hertz: “that news had already reached the Vatican of the plight of your people in that country and that the Holy See had at once renewed its efforts with the Government there and had at the same time invited the Slovak Bishops to increase their efforts as far as possible on behalf of those who were stricken by the new racial laws.  I am instructed by the Vatican Secretary of state to make known to you that nothing will be left undone to help your people in any way open to the Holy See”. (Archives Apostolic Delegate, London)

Gates of Sered Camp. (Yad Vashem)

Sered:

Between 1941 and 1945 there were three camps at Sered sometimes operating at the same time.  The camps’ purposes were the same – the removal of Slovakian Jews from the life of the nation, through expulsion, expropriation of property and finally, deportation to the death camps “in the East”. With the exception of the German operated camp, the Slovak government was directly responsible for the construction, maintenance and operation of Sered.

1. Labour Camp for Jews established in September 1941 by order of Alexander Mach, Minister of the Interior and placed under the responsibility of the Hlinka Guard.  The primary purpose of the camp was to concentrate Slovakian Jews, most of whom had been expelled fro Bratislava as part of the “aryanisation” of Jewish businesses, prior to despatch for forced labour.  Exploitation of Jewish workers proved an economic boon for the Slovak government.  In 1943 Jewish labour earned the government in excess of 2 million Slovak Crowns. The camp was dissolved during the Slovak National Uprising in August 1944.

2. A “Concentration Centre for Jews” was set up in 1942 to facilitate the deportation of Slovak Jews to Auschwitz.  It was closed in September 1944.

3. Sered concentration camp was established under German control in September 1944 as the last phase of the “Final Solution” in Slovakia.  SS Haupsturmführer Alois Brunner was commandant. Under Brunner’s watch an estimated 7,400 Jews were sent to Auschwitz between 30.09.1944 and 01.11.1944.  Most were murdered upon arrival.  From 16.11.1944 until the evacuation of the camp on 31.03.1945 more than 4,000 Jews were moved to Sachsenhausen, Terezín and Ravensbrück. Many of these deportees survived.

Much of the information here came from the review of Ján Hlavinka and Eduard Nižňansky, (2009) Pracovný a koncentračný tabor v Seredi 1941-1945, Bratislava: Dokumentačné stredisko holocaust, by Daniel Putík, pp 98-102. 

(The article cited above came from the website for the Studia Territorialia, published by the Charles University in Prague.  More than that I do not know.  If anyone can supply more details I will be very grateful.)

ADSS 9.217 Burzio to Maglione Deportations suspended

Fifteen months after the first deportation train left Slovakia for Auschwitz, the charge d'affaires in Bratislava, Giuseppe Burzio telegrammed the Vatican with the news that the Slovak government had suspended all future deportations.  This was to give the surviving Jews of Slovakia a respite of sorts for several months.  In the footnotes are a succession of references to the failure to get reliable information on the fate of the deportees and a resumption of the Antisemitic campaign in August with a focus on Jews with forged baptismal certificates.  It is worth noting that that the information on baptismal certificates was passed to Burzio by the Italian Embassy.

This is the last significant document in ADSS on Slovakia until February 1944.

ADSS 9.217 

Giuseppe Burzio, charge d’affaires, Bratislava to Secretary of State, Cardinal Maglione.

Reference: Telegram 37 (AEE 3460/43)

Location and date:  Presbourg (Bratislava), 04.06.1943 @ 1500; arrived Rome 05.06.1943 @ 1115 hrs.

Summary statement: Information on the situation of Slovak Jews.

Language: Italian

I received your telegram number 37. (1)

The transfer of the Jews is suspended.  The Minister of the Interior informed me that the transfers was only in the planning state (?) and the Government has not yet decided about visas – about 200 or less. (2)

Cross references: 

(1)  See ADSS 9.214, 196.

(2)  A few days later Burzio informed the Secretary of State: “… Except in very exceptional cases, and by clandestine means, there is no way to get information on the fate of the fifty thousand Jews deported from Slovakia”. 11.06.1943, report number 1649, (AES 4269/43).  In late August, it was learned that the Antisemitic campaign had resumed in Slovakia, and Minister Mach declared: “… many baptismal records and other documents of those so-called ‘essential to the national economy’ were found to be false.  In the future there will be strict control of such documents and holders of false documents will be punished by law …”

Information supplied by the Italian Embassy, 29.08.1943 (AES 5656/43).

ADSS 9.206 Karel Sidor to Maglione on Anti-Jewish measures in Slovakia

The Slovak minister, Karel Sidor had returned from a visit to Bratislava for consultation with his government on a suitable response to the insistent interventions of the Holy See.  Pius wanted the deportation of Slovak Jews - converted or not - stopped.  Giuseppe Burzio, the Vatican's charge d'affaires in Slovakia was energetic in visiting bishops and ministers to press for a permanent halt for any deportation plans.

The diplomatic language reveals two important details:  firstly, Slovakia was not going to accede to the demands of the Holy See, it remained the right of the Slovak government to decide on its Jewish policies; and secondly, in an attempt to stem rising concerns as to the fate of the deported Jews, Slovakia would send a commission to visit Slovak Jews in Poland.  Given what Rome already knew of the fate of Jews sent to Poland, there is little doubt that the promised commission was seen for what it was, a feeble attempt at semantics.  If the Jews were dead, it was not the Slovak government's fault.

ADSS 9.206

Karel Sidor, Slovak Minister to the Holy See to the Secretary of State, Cardinal Maglione

Reference: 68/dôv/1943 (AES 3361/43)

Location and date:  Rome, 28.05.1943

Summary statement: Anti-Jewish measures in Slovakia

Language: Italian

The undersigned Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Slovakia to the Holy See has the honour to communicate to his Eminence, the Cardinal Secretary of State of His Holiness the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovakia in response to the Note of the Secretary of State to His Holiness, number 2.731/43 of 05.05.1943 (1) with his Note of 20.05.1943, number 6.625/1-43 has made known to our Legation the following declaration:

“With reference to the notes, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic is at pains to clarify its point of view as follow:

The statement of the Minister of the Interior, Mach, made in Ružomberok on 07.02.1943 (2) is intended to be understood in the sense of the decree already issued by the Government of the Slovak Republic in regard to the expatriation of the Jews (3), namely:

1. Jews who are a danger to the security of the state will be expatriated from Slovakia.

2. The remaining Jews will be alienated from the economic and cultural life of the nation and will be sent to concentration camps in Slovakia.  The baptised and unbaptised will be sent to separate camps and given the possibility of work.

3.  Jews granted the benefit of exemption by the President of the Slovak Republic are free to exercise their professions and will not be disturbed in their private lives.

Therefore, we authorise you to make our point of view known to the competent agencies of the Secretariat of State of His Holiness with the provision that the Slovak government in agreement with the authorities of the Reich will establish a special Slovak commission comprised of a Catholic priest, a Protestant minister, a State official and a journalist. (4)  This commission will have the competence to visit Slovak Jews residing in Poland, gathering information about them and to ascertain the condition of their living conditions and, in particular to see if baptised Jews from Slovakia are permitted to practice their Christian faith in the concentration camps.  We will communicate the findings of this commission at a later date”. 

Cross references: 

(1)  See ADSS 9.176

(2)  See ADSS 9.85

(3)  See ADSS 8.334

(4)  See ADSS 9.147, where the same guarantees are listed.

ADSS 9.196 Maglione to Burzio on Slovak Jews

Throughout May 1943 there was still no concrete assurance that the threat of deportations had been lifted.  The Vatican continued to apply pressure on Tiso's government and exploit the divisions within the inner-circle of the cabinet.  What these documents illustrate for us is the extent of activity of the pope's diplomatic teams both in Slovakia and in Rome as the next post will demonstrate.

ADSS 9.196 

Secretary of State, Cardinal Maglione to Giuseppe Burzio, charge d’affaires, Bratislava.

Reference:  AES 3084/43

Location and date:  Vatican, 23.05.1943

Summary statement: Situation of the Jews in Slovakia.

Language: Italian

I have received your Excellency’s regular report of 10 April 1943 with the attachments, number 1558 (1) which was entitled “Concerning the deported Jews”.

I have read with interest the comprehensive and detailed information you kindly provided and I am please that your Excellency’s account of your actions in attempting to alleviate the suffering of so many unhappy people in such painful circumstances.

I do not doubt that you will continue to work to try and ensure that the deportation of non-Aryans remains suspended.

Finally, I ask that you continue to keep me informed on the developments on the subject (2) …

Cross references: 

(1)  See ADSS 9.147

(2)  See ADSS 9.217

ADSS 9.176 Sec State to Slovak Legation on Anti-Jewish actions

In the previous post Cardinal Maglione wrote to the Apostolic Delegate in Turkey, Angelo Roncalli with news that Vatican protests were having some effect in Slovakia.  The following day, the Secretariat made a formal protest to the Slovakian Legation in Rome about ongoing anti-Jewish measures.  In many cases the Vatican's interventions were directed at breaches of Catholic teaching, especially in regard to "mixed" marriages and the status of converts to Catholicism.  Here the Secretariat makes the concerns of the Holy See for all Jews - converted or not - very clear.  It is also worth noting that the Vatican took a much stronger and more direct approach with Slovakia than with any other German-allied government.  I believe this was not because of the priest-president, Tiso, but because Rome sensed a significant part of the government, and more importantly, the bishops, were opposed to the deportations.

ADSS 9.176 

Secretariat of State to the Slovak Legation

Reference: AES 2731/43

Location and date:  Vatican, 05.05.1943

Summary statement: Protest of the Holy See against antisemitic measures of the Slovak government

Language: Italian

The Secretary of State of His Holiness believes it is their duty to submit for the consideration of the Legation of the Republic of Slovakia to the Holy See the following:

With reference to note 8355/41 of 12.11.1941 (1), the Secretary of State brought to the attention of the Slovak Legation the deep regret of the Holy See over the publication by the Slovak Government of an “Ordinance” (2) which established a special “racial” law which contains numerous provisions which are in sharp contrast to Catholic principles, and it expressed confidence that as long as the aforementioned Ordinance had not been withdrawn or appropriately altered, the cited rules would be interpreted and applied in such a way to make as little detrimental impact as possible on Catholic consciences.

The Holy See, then, nurtured hopes that the Slovak government would take into account the feeling of its people, who are almost entirely Catholic, and would not have proceeded to expel by force people belonging to the so-called “Jewish race”.

With great sorrow, the Holy See has learned that transfers of this kind have been made from the territory of the Republic.

This sorrow is increasing because, according to news received from various parts, it would seem that the Slovak government intends to proceed with the transfer of all Jews in Slovakia, not excluding women and children, or those who profess the Catholic religion. 

A confirmation of this could be seen in the speech that the Minister of the Interior made on 7 February 1943 in Ruzenberok, where he said that “having proceeded to eliminate 80% of the Jews, the remaining 20,000 Jews in Slovakia must be transferred”. (3)

This is a grave danger that the Secretary of State feels bound to draw to the attention of the Legation of Slovakia considering the matter shown in the previously mentioned note, in which, among other things, it is pointed out that the Catholic Church welcomes people of any race into her womb, such is her maternal solicitude to arouse and develop feelings of brotherhood and love, among all people, according to the teaching of the Gospel.

Therefore the Holy See would fail in its divine mandate if it did not deplore those provisions and measures that seriously affect the natural rights of men, simply because they belonged to a particular race.

Above all, the Catholic Church cannot remain indifferent to the plight of her children who are removed, often violently, from their homes, and placed in particular pitiable circumstances and sometimes even without necessary religious assistance, thus bring some people’s faith into grave danger.

The pain of the Holy See is more acute, when it considers that such measures are implemented in a nation so deeply Catholic in its traditions, and a government that claims to follow and safeguard these traditions. 

Nevertheless, the Holy See does not want to abandon hope that the Slovak government intends to properly review and appropriately amend the “racial” provisions, removing any inconsistencies with natural and divine law, and, in the meantime, suspending the above mentioned transfers. (4)

Note of Cardinal Maglione: (5)

Nota Bene: Last Saturday – 01.03.1943 – I explained verbally to the Slovak Minister (6) the ideas contained in this draft note, and adding that I had also written on the matter.  The Minister said he would discuss this with his government in the next few days, since he was returning home.  Meanwhile, I wanted to make sure that the measures threatened by the Minister of the Interior would not be translated into action. 03.05.1943.

Cross references: 

(1)  See ADSS 8.199

(2)  See ADSS 8.153

(3)  See ADSS 9.85

(4)  See ADSS 9.206

(5)  These notes were included in a separate file.

(6)  Karol Sidor, Slovak minister to the Holy See.

ADSS 9.172 Maglione to Roncalli on Slovak Jews

The active intervention of the Pope through the charge d'affaires, Giuseppe Burzio, in Bratislava was having some effect.  Fears of the resumption of deportations was never far away, but there was hope that continued pressure applied to the Slovak government would give them cause for pausing.  In May 1943 the final outcome of the war was still uncertain, but the set backs on the Eastern Front were dimming hopes for a quick German victory.  Memories of Stalingrad were still very fresh and raw, but the Russian front was a long way from Slovakia.

The divisions within the Slovak government, between Tiso who appeared to have some residual sensitivity towards his priestly state and some sense of obedience to the pope, and his more antisemitic ministers, especially Adalbert Tuka and Alexander Mach, were showing.  Tiso still had sufficient authority and support within the government to exercise influence over the application of the anti-Jewish policies.  This document points to a widespread knowledge of the Slovak situation and an indication that similar strategies would be used with Hungary should a similar need arise.

At the bottom of the document is Maglione's note that Pius had approved the strategy.  The words "Seen / Approved by the Holy Father" appear often.  

ADSS 9.172 

Secretary of State, Cardinal Maglione to Angelo Roncalli, Apostolic Delegate, Turkey

Reference:  Telegram 153 (AES 2794/43)

Location and date:  Vatican, 04.05.1943

Summary statement: Steps taken by the Holy See for Slovakian Jews.

Language: Italian

I refer to your telegram number 99 and report number 4180. (1)

The Holy See has repeatedly made representations to the Slovak Government with special concern for non-Aryan young people. (2)

Because of the interest taken by [the Holy See] all transfer of Jewish residents in Slovakia is suspended.

Concerning the children you reported, the Holy See is prepared to intervene with the Hungarian Government when circumstances so require. (3)

Your Excellency will keep me informed.

Note of Cardinal Maglione:

Approved by the Holy Father.

Cross references: 

(1)  See ADSS 9.95 and 96.

(2)  See ADSS 9.81, 87, 176.

ADSS 9.147 Burzio to Maglione on meeting with Tuka

In a rare display of emotion and language bordering on the intemperate, the Vatican's charge d'affaires, Giuseppe Burzio did not hold back in this report from Bratislava.  The early months of 1943 saw an intensification of fears among the remaining Slovakian Jews that deportations were about to recommence.  

On April 10, 1943, Burzio wrote to Cardinal Maglione summarising about three weeks of activities among the Slovakian bishops (See ADSS 9.85) as well as the news of possible deportations.  It is important to note that a close reading of the documents that have been posted on Slovakia there is a pattern emerging.  Vatican protests were having an effect.  Tiso's government did listen, and it seems that once the bishops gauged the seriousness of Rome's determination to try and stop the trains, they too began to become more vocal in their demands for baptised Jews and respect to be shown for the natural law, which I presume would cover all Jews.  I have no doubt that the Slovak bishops took Rome's interventions as stemming directly from the pope which of course they did. Maglione ensured Pius saw the reports from Bratislava and most certainly passed on papal comments and instructions to Burzio, or at the very least interpreted them according to his understanding of the pope's view of the deportations.  The notes made on several of the reports sent from Slovakia indicate that Pius XII was fully informed and endorsed the Cardinal Secretary of State's instructions to Monsignor Burzio.

Most of the report describes in considerable detail Burzio's uncomfortable meeting with the rabidly antisemitic Minister of Foreign Affairs, Adalbert Tuka.

Burzio described his meeting with Tuka as humiliating, being forced to be in the same room with a man the diplomat described as a "sphinx",  "a maniac" and a "cynical Pharisee".  Burzio's discomfort is evident throughout the report. 

Quoting Tuka at length, Burzio virtually recapitulated the entire catalogue of myths and hatreds ascribed to Jews.  Jews are "pests", "gangsters", "Bolsheviks", "criminals", "asocial", "pernicious","pimps", "destitute", wielders of international influence as well as having influence in Slovakia (despite the deportations), masters of propaganda to make themselves appear to be the victim, and equally masters at duping even the Vatican.  Tuka went on to say that he saw future Slovak historians looking back at him as the one patriot who was prepared to do the deed that needed doing - getting rid of the Jews, all of them.

In a moment of excessive self-promotion Tuka described himself as a believing and practicing Catholic, who received Holy Communion regularly and considered himself a friend of the Church.  And because the rumours of the mistreatment of the Jews, which according to Tuka's logic must originate with them, he promised Burzio to send a commission to see if there was any truth in the rumours.  Nonetheless, the Jews had to go, and the minister promised to see that he fulfilled his duty.

At the end of the report Burzio noted that the priest-president, Jozef Tiso had heard of the interview with Tuka and contacted the charge d'affaires to apologise.  The council of ministers also heard of the papal intervention to halt any resumption of deportations and responded favourably according to Burzio.

This lengthy report has been placed on the pages section of the blog.

Adalbert Tuka (1880-1946)

ADSS 9.96 Roncalli to Maglione: Jewish confidence in the Holy See

ADSS 9.96 Angelo Roncalli, Apostolic Delegate to Turkey to Cardinal Maglione

Reference:  report number 4180 (AES 2794/43)

Location and date: Istanbul, 13.03.1943

Summary statement: Jews have confidence in the intervention of the Holy See.

Language: Italian

Text:

I follow the dispatch [from earlier today] (1) with the Promemoria I made with Messrs Kaplan and Barlas of the “Jewish Agency for Palestine” as a summary of the conversation that took place in the Delegation here. (2)  Once again, the description of the sufferings their countrymen are subjected to is touching and tragic.  Needless to say their confidence in the beneficial intervention of the Holy Father is profound, and the abandonment of their spirit to this providence appears sincere.

They wanted me to add a copy of the letter they addressed to Fr Hughes and which may at this time, either in its text or contents, have reached your Eminence. (3)  I think it good perhaps to combine this argument that contains information useful in a compassionate study to relieve the sorrows of the unfortunate chosen people. (4)

References: 

(1) Error in text.  It should read “telegram”.

(2) The principle points made in the memorandum were: “… According to the information we have received, the rest of the Jewish population of Slovakia, about 20,000 souls, are in immediate danger of being deported before the end of this month to Poland.  The situation in Poland, where about two thirds of the Jewish population was wiped out in a cruel manner, requires no comment.

So we beg your Excellency, to present our petition to the Holy See to kindly intervene with the Slovak government to prevent these cruel measures which would mean the death of the remains of the Jewish community.

We reiterate as well our second petition, that the Vatican would take action with the Slovak government for approximately 2,000 children in Slovakia, for whom we have the possibility of granting immigration certificates to Palestine as part of the British government quota provided to us, which would allow the children to lodge in Slovakia until they are fit to continue their journey …

On this occasion we would give you the enclosed copy of a memorandum of 20.01.1943 addressed to the Reverend Arthur Hughes, Apostolic Delegate in Egypt and Palestine, Istanbul, where we set out the problem in general and by which we humbly pray the Holy See grant them a sympathetic attitude.

Unfortunately the situation in the occupied countries has worsened since then, so the content of this memorandum is still current.

We would appreciate it if you would kindly draw the attention of the Holy See on the untenable situation of the Jewish communities in Europe and ask it to intervene as it deems best.

(3) See ADSS 9.22, attachment.

(4) See ADSS 9.172.

ADSS 9.95 Roncalli to Maglione

ADSS 9.95 Angelo Roncalli, Apostolic Delegate to Turkey to Cardinal Maglione

Reference: Telegram 99 (AES 1584/43)

Location and date: Istanbul, 13.03.1943 @ 1439 hours, arrived Rome @ 1850.

Summary statement: Requests intervention for Slovakian Jewish children to get to Palestine.

Language: Italian

Text:

The Jewish Agency for Palestine representative, Mr Kapl (sic) asked me to communicate the following: some 20,000 Slovak Jews run the risk of deportation to Poland by the end of March (2).  They appeal to the Holy Father to intervene with the government to prevent this measure … to get 1,000 (?) Jewish children for emigration to Palestine in accordance with the authorisation of the English (3) … and allow them transit through Turkey.  They ask the indulgence of the Slovak government and Hungary as well to grant essential temporary stays for the children.  The Jewish Agency will provide everything; urgent intervention.(4)  Report to follow. 

Micossi’s trip to Beirut continues on Monday.(5)

Cross references: 

(1) It should read “Kaplan”.  Eliezer Kaplan (1891-1952) was head of finance for the Jewish Agency for Palestine.

(2) See ADSS 9.85 & 87.

(3) See ADSS 9.94.

(4) See ADSS 9.172.

(5) Giuseppe Micossi (1909-2009), secretary of the Apostolic Delegation in Beirut.

ADSS 9.89 Burzio to Maglione: deportations not imminent

ADSS 9.89 

Reference: Telegram 34 (AES 1596/43)

Location and date: Bratislava (Pressburg) 11.03.1943, 1110 hours, arrived Rome 2015 hours.

Summary statement:  Information on the situation of the Jews in Slovakia.

Language: Italian

Text:

I received your telegram number 34. (1)

A report on the subject has already been sent. (2)  Deportation of the last 20,000 Jews remaining in (Slovakia?) is very likely, but it does not seem imminent, nor is it possible to obtain reliable information from government authorities who are very reserved and respond evasively. (3)

Cross references: 

(1) See ADSS 9.87

(2) See ADSS 9.85

(3) See ADSS 9.147