Berlin’s Jewish Ghetto Decreed (12/5/38)

"The same FDR administration which turned away the SS St. Louis? The same administration whose State Department purposely admitted fewer Jews than the immigration quotas allowed for? The same State Department who fired my godfather (and threatened to turn him over to the Vichy administration despite being an American citizen) for leaking news of the Holocaust in 1941?"

Rosen's 2006 book is highly sympathetic to Roosevelt himself, but not in the least to the US State Department, whose immigration & refugee policies were run by a certain Assistant Secretary named Breckenridge Long (p291):

"Roosevelt undoubtedly believed that his policies, which included some relief for Jewish refugees within the immigration laws, were being carried out. His knowledge of the State Department's activities, however, was controlled by Breckenridge Long, whom Roosevelt trusted. The president received written memorandums nominally from [Secretary of State Cordell] Hull but written by Long, and he was briefed by Hull in person after Long had talked to Hull.

"Long misled Roosevelt about essential facts and told exaggerated accounts of the State Department's rescue efforts. He told FDR that the United States had admitted 580,000 refugees between 1933 and 1943, when in fact this was the number of visas issued or authorized, not people who actually came into the united States. Only 210,732 people were actually admitted...

"...The State Department and its consuls abroad interpreted the visa provisions more strictly than the law required, needlessly delayed applications, and sabotaged military efforts to help transport refugees from North Africa to the United States. Long and his allies in the department worked surreptitiously to thwart Roosevelt's efforts."

Rosen brings out a number of other important points, among them the following:

Roosevelt's strongest supporters in Congress for war preparations before Dec. 7, 1941, were also the most strongly antisemitic -- the Southern Democrats. These people hated Hitler, and wanted to be ready for war, but they also wanted no more immigrants (especially Jewish immigrants) than allowed by law.

Nevertheless, immigration increased substantially in the later 30s & early 40s, and most immigrants then were Jews.

Bottom line: in hindsight of course, the US did not do nearly enough, but Rosen argues that Roosevelt did as much and more, as he legally and realistically could have done.

Homer's articles have pointed out that as early as 1938, the Nazis were already publicly spelling out their plans for the Holocaust. But few Americans of the time understood or believed them, and the vast majority of Americans then believed the US was already doing far more than its fair share to help the Jews.

"Sure. Roosevelt talked a good game, but was very short on deeds."

Note my comments to rmlew above. Rosen argues, and I agree that Roosevelt did as much, and more, as he legally and realistically could have done.

Yes, it's obvious in hindsight, the US did not do nearly enough to help refugees in general, and Jewish refugees especially. But that's not the way it appeared to Americans at the time.

Rosen also points out, Roosevelt did a lot more than he is usually given credit for these days. If you are truly interested, I recommend Rosen's book.

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