Page 16 of The Righteous

“I know you do. Look, the WRB is just getting its feet on the ground, and at this time, we’re beginning to make inroads throughout Europe. We’re establishing contacts in places where there are refugees. Carl Lutz is such a contact.”

“And he may be a very good one, but between you and me, our goals may not always be the same.” Theresa placed a hand on John’s shoulder.

“I have a suggestion. Listen to me before you say no. I know the people, the culture, and the history. My information would be intelligent and sound, and I could look for ways to aid refugees. Isn’t that our business?

Appoint me as a WRB representative in Budapest.”

John quickly shook his head. “I’ll take it under consideration when the time is right.

It’s not something I can do today. We don’t have an organization there.

There is no office, there is no equipment, there is no staff.

The WRB cannot just send an innocent civilian, even one as astute as you, Theresa, into a hostile country where she might be a target.

You’re Jewish, you’re Hungarian, and you have no claim to diplomatic immunity.

You could be captured and tortured for information.

If Hitler attacks, as he might do any day, you would find yourself in the same boat as the rest of the Jewish refugees.

I can’t let you go. Hold off for the time being.

There is a good chance that Carl will be in Washington next week.

He may have answers or suggestions for us. ”

Later that evening, Theresa met Julia and Teddy for dinner.

She recounted the afternoon’s discussion with John Pehle.

“He said things were dicey, unsettled, disturbing,” Theresa said.

“If you read between the lines, it means that Germany is on the verge of a takeover. It may just be a rumor, but John seems to think that it is a possibility.”

“Here we go again,” Julia said. “I’ve seen it.

I’ve lived through it. If the Nazis overrun Hungary, they’ll appoint a monster like Seyss-Inquart to run the country, just like in the Netherlands.

And I hate to say it, but you know what he will do, don’t you?

He will try to make Hungary Judenfrei . They did that in Holland.

They herded all the Jews into ghettos, put them onto trains, and sent them to concentration camps.

I agree with Theresa that the leaders of the Jewish community should be alerted to prepare for the worst. They need to plan whatever measures they can to protect their people. ”

“Take it easy, Julia,” Teddy said. “The sky hasn’t fallen yet. These are just possibilities. And now you have the WRB.”

“There are no WRB agents stationed there, none who have the experience to assist the people in such a situation,” Theresa said.

“John gave me a positive description of Carl Lutz that does convey some confidence. When I told John that I was the right woman to be appointed as a WRB agent, he spoke glowingly about Carl, his intelligence, and his dedication. Maybe Carl is the right man for the job.”

“What job? That is the question. He is not a WRB agent,” Julia said. “Where do his loyalties lie?”

“This is all foolish talk,” Teddy said, “and it’s not getting us anywhere.

There are almost a million Jews spread all throughout Hungary.

How is one person or twenty people going to outmaneuver the Nazis and their troops?

I know you have contacts, Theresa, but we have no way of getting into Budapest. We have no credentials, no diplomatic immunity.

According to John, we would just be sitting ducks, sacrificing ourselves as two more victims. To make any difference at all in the face of a Nazi occupation, you need experienced people, you need rescue squads, you need credentials, and you need an organization.

That is a job for the WRB, and as we sit here, I have no idea how or if John will make that happen. ”

Julia nodded. “As much as I would like to go, John is right. In the Netherlands, we had hundreds of people working together to rescue Dutch Jews, and there were one hundred fifty thousand of them, not a million. That effort had to be well organized, and even with all our joint efforts, we were only able to save a percentage, and I was lucky to have escaped Amsterdam alive.”

“John told me that Carl Lutz is coming here to Washington next week and we will be able to talk to him,” Theresa said.

“I’m sure he will have current information about Hungary; he’s been there for two years.

He’s with the Swiss embassy. He has the credentials; he can go anywhere he pleases.

John also told me that Lutz and his wife have done outstanding humanitarian work in Palestine.

Let’s listen with an open mind. Maybe something will come of the meeting. ”

“You know what just occurred to me?” Julia said with a bright smile.

“Do you know who else spends time in Hungary and who has diplomatic immunity? Raoul Wallenberg. Swedes can come and go wherever they want if they bring their Swedish credentials. Rudy travels all throughout Europe as a sales representative. For all I know, Rudy may be in Hungary right now on business. Maybe Carl knows him. I wonder if Carl can put me in touch with him.”

“Oh, wouldn’t you like that?” said Theresa with a grin.

“I would, indeed,” Julia said with a smile. “Rudy is a good, honest man, and he works for Kálmán Lauer, who is Jewish. He might be just the person that the WRB needs in Hungary.”

“Do we know where Rudy is or how to get in touch with him? Do we know where Kálmán Lauer is? Just because they do business in Hungary doesn’t mean they are reachable or that they would agree to be contacts for WRB.” Theresa shrugged. “I don’t know how that helps us at this particular time.”

“Don’t be a doubter, Terri. I’m sure he would be a great contact. Let’s try to find him.”