Page 22 of The Righteous
Martin nodded. “If you are familiar with the National Socialist manifesto, it is clear that it is Hitler’s intention to unify all of Europe under a single banner.
All of Europe would obviously include Switzerland.
The first goal of their twenty-five-point National Socialist program states, ‘We demand the unification of all Germans into Greater Germany on the basis of the people’s right to self-determination.
’ Greater Germany has no set boundaries.
It is wherever Germans can be found. Hitler considers it to be everywhere.
All Germans probably means anyone of German heritage.
There are German-speaking people who reside in Switzerland, so many of them that it places us within Hitler’s single banner. ”
Martin continued, “German unification is Hitler’s excuse for sending troops into an innocent country.
He wants more territory to rule. It was his excuse for the Austrian Anschluss and for attacking the Czechoslovak Sudetenland.
In 1939, and even before that, Hitler claimed that he was reuniting Germans from the Free City of Danzig, and that was his justification for attacking Poland.
Hitler has been quoted as saying, ‘One day, we will group ourselves around a single banner, and whosoever shall wish to separate us, we will exterminate!’”
Theresa cleared her throat and decided to change the subject if she could.
“We came all this way to help my people in Hungary. Now we understand that Germany may be in a position to invade Hungary. They have moved troops and machinery in that direction. I would assume that Hitler is responding to Regent Horthy and Minister Kallas, and their recent cables. He may consider them to be disloyal.”
“That is a wise and informed assumption,” remarked Rolf. “Let me ask you a question, Professor, if I may. Where are the two of you planning to set up your command post?”
Julia and Theresa looked at each other. “Well, we hadn’t thought that through. We are going as Carl Lutz’s administrative assistants. We hope that we will have office space in the Swiss embassy. Carl also mentioned that he would help us find an apartment. We have faith in Carl.”
Rolf shut his eyes and shook his head. “He didn’t mention that to me.”
Theresa responded, “My father and his associates are important people with strong economic interests all over Budapest. If necessary, they could have a place for us. I’m sure there is an empty apartment somewhere.
In an emergency, we could bunk with my parents.
I haven’t heard from them in over a year. I sure hope it will be all right.”
Rolf looked at Carl and said, “The embassy does have extra apartments, does it not?”
Carl nodded. “Of course. Extra apartments and extra offices. We presently occupy the space vacated by the US embassy on Castle Hill. I’m sure we have accommodations for our two travelers.”
“That is very kind,” Theresa said. “Julia has come with me at great personal risk because she believes in aiding oppressed people.”
“Swiss letters of protection should keep her safe from arrest by the Germans or the Hungarians on this trip,” Carl said.
“That is very much appreciated,” Theresa said, “but in the unlikely circumstance that Hitler were to invade Switzerland, what would become of all the letters of protection? Would Hitler honor them?”
Martin looked over his shoulder at Rolf. The two exchanged a silent message, and Martin turned to Theresa. “In such a case, Miss Weissbach, your guess is as good as mine. If we became enemies, I wouldn’t count on Germany honoring anything we did.”
Rolf pursed his lips. “For what it’s worth, Professor Weissbach, allow me to offer my advice.
Vice Consul Lutz has informed us about your mission to support and aid your family and the broader Jewish community in Budapest. You are worried about them, as well you should be.
Carl has been trying to aid Jewish families for some time.
Some of the Jewish refugees did escape carrying Swiss letters of protection.
That was so even though the cantons of Switzerland may have no record of the issuance of letters to such persons.
” Rolf smiled and nodded in Carl’s direction.
“Alas, that is not a requirement. Carl has authority to issue them. My advice to you is simple: To plausibly aid the Jewish community, you are going to need more support. Qualified, experienced, and well-organized support. Especially if Germany moves on Hungary.”
“That is why Julia has come with me,” Theresa said. “She is experienced in aiding refugees. Our friend Teddy is also behind us, working from the War Refugee Board in Washington. They are very supportive.”
Rolf smiled. “You may need more. A lot more. You need people with knowledge in such matters. Politically influential people. Carl is one such person, but he can only do so much. You need to find more Carl Lutzes, if you understand what I am saying.”
“There are others,” Theresa said. “Those who the WRB has come in contact with. I’m thinking of Ira Hirschmann, and Rabbi Wise of the World Jewish Congress.”
Rolf beamed. “Now you have the idea. Dedicated, courageous people are essential to your mission. If one man can save a hundred lives, two can save five times that many, three can save a thousand times, and so on. It is a logical progression. Find and employ those collaborators; that should be your mission.”