TLS signed “J. P. K.,” two pages, 8 x 10.5, Embassy of the United States of America letterhead, June 13, 1939. As the Nazi persecution of Jews intensified in June 1939, the SS St. Louis was floating off the Florida coast in, the lights of Miami plainly visible on the horizon. On board were 943 German Jews who pleaded for refuge in the United States. It was a haunting moment in our history when America’s fear led policymakers to betray one of our country’s most cherished traditions – providing safe haven for the persecuted. Instead of granting the Jews even temporary asylum, the U.S. Government instead instructed Ambassador Kennedy to help find them refuge in Europe. Written to childhood friend Arthur Goldsmith, the letter reads in part: “I don’t know what difference it makes to you whether you get any letters from me—you seem to keep up on everything I do, even to reading a copy of ‘The Week’ published by that Jewish Communist over there. It’s almost as fantastic as the story of the Rothschilds…Houghton may be glad that he’s home again but give him three weeks in California having to read all those scripts and do some real serious work and he’ll be crying for London like you cry for Haig and Haig! I had a friend of Ed Greenbaum’s come in to see me yesterday. I’m trying to help him save some of the Jews on that ill-fated ship land here.” Kennedy closed the letter with his “J.P.K” initials. The message is stapled at the top left corner and demonstrates fine condition. After being denied entry to the U.S., these Jewish refugees from the Nazi terror were granted refuge in England and in continental European nations. Many of the latter group became victims of the Holocaust after the Nazis invaded Western Europe in the following years. Seemingly unable to exercise his better part of judgment by treading carefully after earning the label of “defeatist,” Kennedy was removed from his post as Ambassador to Great Britain after he commented just a year after writing this note that democracy was finished in Britain, and possibly the U.S., as well. RRAuction COA.
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