Historically relevant TLS, three pages, 8.5 x 11, February 8, 1941. Signed on the last page by Mrs. Roosevelt as well as by Martha B. Taft, Frank Aydelotte, and Clarence E. Pickett. Roosevelt contacts the Right Reverend William Appleton Lawrence in Springfield, Massachusetts. In part: “We join in inviting you together with the others on the list enclosed, to meet at Princeton, New Jersey, Friday evening, and Saturday until 5 o’clock, February 28th and March 1st, for a discussion of the world’s refugee problems and needs.
We take this initiative on the basis of evidence of the following facts which appear to us to warrent [sic] discussion by such a group;
1. The number of refugees in the world mounts steadily as a result of the continuing and spreading situations of war and aggression.
2. A number of organizations in this country are extending vitally needed services to refugees coming to the United States and to some of those in other parts of the world, but the financial support of these agencies by the American public has been woefully inadequate to meet many of the most urgent needs.
3. The refugee problem, in all parts of the world, is much more than an emergency relief problem; these unfortunate people will continue to need assistance until such time as they are able to reestablish themselves, some place in the world, in new homes with firm economic and social foundations.
4. Although Jews now represent only a small proportion of the total refugees population of the world, total contributions to refugees service by non-Jewish individuals and organizations in the United States have been limited to a few hundred thousand dollars, whereas the Jewish community alone has contributed many millions annually.
5. There is considerable evidence that this diparity [sic] of interest and support of refugee work arises primarily from inadequate presentation of the situation to the general American community rather than any lack of real or potential concern on the part of the non-Jewish citizens.
It is expected that we will have present at the Princeton meeting, the best informed authorities on present and future needs of refugees and upon the programs of refugee service…What we are asked to do as a group is to consider and to advise regarding the launching of a program which would mobilize leadership and cooperation on a very broad basis throughout the entire national community.”
Horizontal folds, one of which passes through the first lady’s signature, wrinkling, a paper clip impression at the top, and small areas of staining to the first page, otherwise fine condition.
This important letter focuses on Mrs. Roosevelt’s realization of the pending Holocaust and the first lady’s efforts—ultimately unsuccessful—to render assistance. The United States had not yet been drawn into World War II in February 1941, but as battles raged across Europe, many influential Americans took steps to provide emergency relief efforts. “The number of refugees in the world mounts steadily as a result of the continuing and spreading situations of war and aggression,” the first lady writes here. Assistance was particularly needed by European Jews, who for more than a decade had been persecuted by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. Hoping to muster support from people of all faiths, Mrs. Roosevelt adds, “Although Jews now represent only a small proportion of the total refugees population of the world, total contributions to refugees service by non-Jewish individuals and organizations in the United States have been limited to a few hundred thousand dollars, whereas the Jewish community alone has contributed many millions annually.”
Efforts such as this one, spearheaded by Roosevelt, would have little impact as America entered the fray. Ironically, during this period German officials boasted that as foreign countries criticized Germany for their treatment of the Jews, no nation wanted to open their door to Jewish refugees. Throughout the war, the refugee question continued to grow in spite of efforts by those like Mrs. Roosevelt to create a program “which would mobilize leadership and cooperation on a very broad basis throughout the entire national community.” Unusually outstanding and poignant content. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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