Page 28 of The Righteous
“I asked about the World Jewish Congress,” Theresa said. “I’ve met Rabbi Wise. Are you familiar with the WJC? Are they active in Hungary?”
“Not in Hungary, not at this time, but I do know about the World Jewish Conference. In fact, I was there in Geneva in 1936 when they held their first conclave. I was representing the Swiss government. There were hundreds of delegates from over thirty countries, including many from the United States, but there were no Germans! I remember Rabbi Wise criticizing German Jews for ignoring the WJC and not attending. The WJC’s expressed goal was Jewish unity and the strengthening of Jewish political influence in order to assure the survival of the Jewish people, but it was no surprise to me that German Jews did not participate.
It was before the war, but it was three years into Hitler’s reign, and he was already screaming insults against the Jews.
Had German Jews gone to the conference, they would have been marked as opponents of the Reich.
The whole point of the conference was to show unity and togetherness in defense of Jewish rights.
There was even talk at that time of creating a Jewish state. ”
“I understand,” Julia said. “It would have been too dangerous for German Jews to attend even back then.”
“Probably, but you initially asked me about the Aid and Rescue Committee, not the WJC,” Carl said.
“The Aid and Rescue Committee, known as Va’ada for short, was formed not too long ago by Ottó Komoly and his assistant Rezso Kasztner, sometimes called Israel Kasztner.
Both of them are very important men for you to know. ”
Theresa broke in, “My father knows Ottó Komoly well. Mr. Komoly is a prominent man in Budapest. Everyone admires him. In fact, he commands the respect of Jewish leaders, Christian leaders, government officials, you name it. My father is on a first-name basis with Mr. Komoly. His daughter, Esther Komoly, and I were friends in school. They are members of our synagogue.”
Carl agreed. “You’re right, Theresa, he is a very important and well-respected man.
In the First World War, Ottó was a captain in the Austro-Hungarian Army, and he was a hero.
The Komolys are Zionists. Ottó’s father, David Komoly, was the founder of the Zionist movement in Hun gary, and Ottó Komoly is now the chairman of the Hungary Zionist Federation. ”
“I remember Esther telling me that her family was going to move to Palestine, but her father changed his mind, and the family stayed in Budapest,” Theresa commented.
“Esther said he did that so he could help his community. I don’t know Esther’s father that well, but they have a beautiful house in Budapest, and they are financially comfortable. ”
“I am meeting with Ottó tomorrow,” Carl said.
“If you want me to mention it, I can tell him that you are here as a representative of the WRB. The WRB may be in a position to provide money or equipment to the Aid and Rescue Committee. I’m sure they would welcome any help the WRB could supply.
Anyway, going back to the beginning, it was a member of the Aid and Rescue Committee that first told us about the three hundred thousand Croatian troops on Hungary’s southern border. ”
“And the Austrian soldiers too?”
Carl nodded. “While we do not have precise numbers of Austrian soldiers under German command, we know that some are stationed near Hungary’s border.
We have no reason to doubt your father’s estimate of Serbian and Slovak troop strength.
The important question is why? Why does Germany need troops to surround its partner Hungary? ”
“It could just be a show of strength,” Martin said.
“True, but for what reason?” asked Carl.
“Has there been a demand made upon Hungary that we don’t know about?
Did Hitler order them to accept terms or face attack?
We do not know of any such threat. What does Regent Horthy have to say about these troops standing on his borders? Does he provide an explanation?”
Martin shrugged. “He hasn’t said anything that we know of. Horthy is at the opera with his wife tonight. Either he is totally unaware of the troops, or he knows of them and is not concerned.”
“My father may know more about this than we do,” Theresa said.
“He is the one who alerted me to the standing armies. He told me he would like to meet with you. He has meetings all during the day, so he has suggested tomorrow night at the synagogue. That won’t make my mother happy—she has invited the family for dinner tomorrow—but I’m sure she would understand.
My father’s business has interrupted many dinners.
I think you should meet with him because he has connections to many of Budapest’s important families, and other resources we talked about when we were in Bern.
My father has solid relationships with both the Jewish business community and the financial community.
And as I said, he knows Ottó Komoly. If anyone can help you reach the leaders of the Jewish community, it is my father. ”
“Well said,” Carl replied. “There is no doubt that your father would be very helpful. However, I can’t meet tomorrow night, and that should make your mother happy. I already have plans. I could meet on March 18. Would your father be available?”
Just then the intercom buzzed. “There is a call for you, Mr. Lutz. It’s Roberts. He would like to talk to you right away. He says it’s urgent.”
“Put him through,” Carl said. As he listened to the call, Carl nodded and made eye contact with each of the people in the room.
This was obviously a troublesome call that concerned the group.
“When did this happen?” Carl said into the phone.
“Did he make any threats or demands? What about the troops? Are they moving?”
Carl hung up the phone and faced the others.
“We just received word that Regent Miklós Horthy was interrupted at the opera this evening by the German minister. He was handed a letter from Adolf Hitler, and Horthy immediately left the opera. A little while later, he was seen at the train station carrying a suitcase. He boarded a train for Salzburg.”
Martin said, “Hitler has a palace near Salzburg, at Klessheim, where he has met leaders from other countries. He met Italy’s Mussolini, Romania’s Antonescu, and Croatia’s Paveli ? there at his palace.
Those were high-level meetings with Germany’s allies.
That makes me think that a meeting with Horthy at the palace is a good sign.
Why entertain someone you were going to threaten with a show of force?
He could threaten Horthy with a phone call or a written demand carried by his minister.
I think it is a show of camaraderie, one to bolster their alliance.
Did Roberts say anything about the troops or other threats? ”
Carl shook his head. “He didn’t know of any. There was no mention of the troops surrounding Hungary. He did say that Horthy seemed to be in a good mood, so that would tend to confirm your opinion of camaraderie.”
“So, Horthy is pulled out of an opera for an emergency trip to Salzburg at the invitation of the führer, a total surprise, and we are to consider that as friendly?” Julia said.
Martin shrugged.
Theresa responded, “I’ll repeat what I told my father: ‘Beware the ides of March.’ It’s not a joke.”
Carl looked at his watch. “I don’t know how much more we can learn today. It’s late. Let’s check in during the day tomorrow.”