Part 28 (1/2)
On August 13, 1942, the border police were instructed to send back civilian refugees from France who had entered into Switzerland illegally, with the exception of political refugees. ”Refugees for racial reasons only, for instance Jews,” were not considered political refugees. [469]
The Federation of the Protestant Churches as well as other organizations turned to the Federal authorities. [470] Their protests were not ineffectual. On August 23, Federal Councillor von Steiger ordered that in special cases rejection should be waved.
On August 24, a meeting was convened with the ”Swiss Central Office for Refugee Aid”, where all the Inst.i.tutions for refugee aid were represented.
The ”Central Office” informed the press of the result of this partly tumultuous meeting on the same day: ”Foreign refugees, who had entered Switzerland before 13th August, 1942, and register with the police, will be sent back only if, after careful investigation, they must for important reasons be considered undesirable.” [471] <213>
On August 30, 1942, at the meeting of the ”Young Church” which has been mentioned before [472], Rev. W. Luthi said:
”Sin separates us from G.o.d. What has happened in the case of the refugee problem comes under the same heading.
Even though we understand that events may be motivated by political considerations, our conscience is burdened by such events in three ways.
First, because the rejection of the poorest of the refugees was not an act of humanity.
Second, because any claim to humanitarianism becomes hypocritical.
And third, because it was an act of ingrat.i.tude towards G.o.d, who has so graciously protected our own country. Now we may well fear that, after what has happened, G.o.d will no longer be for us, but against us.”
The morning session ended with words of greetings by the Rev. Hans Roduner, who thanked the authorities for their consent ”to revoke the painful measures in force against the refugees”. He called upon the Young Church to make great sacrifices for the refugees and ensure the support of fifty of them.
The reply of Federal Councillor von Steiger, who spoke in the afternoon, was typical of the Government point of view:
”Of course the Federal Councillor would like to help all the refugees. However, when thousands of victims of a s.h.i.+pwreck cry out for help, the one in command of a small and fully occupied lifeboat, that is limited in capacity and provisions, must seem heartless if he cannot take them all into his boat.
Nevertheless, it is humane to give warning against false hopes, and at least try to save those already aboard. As regards the measures adopted concerning the refugee problem, Federal Councillor von Steiger is prepared to accept full responsibility.” [473]
Since September 26, 1942, the following categories of refugees were admitted: a. Obviously ill persons and pregnant women.
b. Refugees over 65 years old; married couples if at least one of them was over 65 years. <214> c. Children under the age of 16 travelling alone.
d. Parents with children under 16 years.
e. Refugees who claimed and could prove that they had close relatives in Switzerland or, otherwise, close relations with Switzerland (Residence for a long time).
However, French Jews without exception had to be deported ”as they were in no danger in their own country”. In doubtful cases (when it was not clear whether a refugee came under one of the categories mentioned, or when deportation appeared to be exceptionally severe) the Police Department had to be contacted by telephone. It was ascertained that 3,800 persons had entered Switzerland illegally during September. [474]
On October 28, 1942, in his opening address to the Synod of Zurich, Dr. Wollf said:
”... The dominant spirit, in no way identical with the sentiments of the people, has become despondent and even pitiable. Its exponents, who can be found not only in the Federal Council but also in the Parliament, pay homage to the opinion that expediency, craftiness and a so-called realistic policy are greater importance to our salvation than the spirit of the Gospel and of freedom and of truth.
The misery of the dominant spirit has become evident in recent months in the shameless treatment of the refugees.
We must not pa.s.s over in silence the disgrace and shame we have brought upon ourselves when, because of cold political calculations, we returned to misery and threat of death, those refugees who believed they had found within our borders a refuge from danger...
It is not the beauties of our country nor our safe existence, which make Switzerland worthy of our defence and devotion, but the fact that it is the centre of freedom and justice.
The Declaration of the Federal Council and the three coalition parties, contained no sign of their having grasped the challenge of the hour. [475]
In contrast to this, it may be said that the Reformed Church, and, in particular, the Executive Committee of the Swiss Federation of Evangelical Churches, has in no uncertain manner fought for recognition of the demands of our Christian conscience.
These have found their most impressive formulation by the President of our Federation of Churches: <215> 'G.o.d, through His commandments in the Old and New Testament, has placed us unequivocally on the side of the weak, the oppressed and the dest.i.tute, no matter what their race or nationality. Confession of faith in Jesus Christ is, for the Christian, almost always also related to recognition of our responsibility to our suffering brothers. The least of His brethren to-day are the oppressed refugees in their physical and mental distress. Christ will either find us on their side or on the side of His persecutors.'
The mitigations, now granted by the authorities, may be accepted as revoking their heartless orders. But this is not a lasting or definite solution.
The fight for an honourable and humane conduct must continue. Protests alone will not suffice.
Indignation is shallow if it is unaccompanied by the will to act. The members of the Church, as well as its critics, justly demand that it put up a determined stand on behalf of the outcasts.
Generous contributions to the Refugee fund, and willingness to accept refugees in our homes, must now furnish proof that our nation wishes its ancient Christian traditions to be upheld. Each one of us should do his part to atone for our guilt in this matter.
Injustice, force and inhumanity triumph around our borders. These terrible events can no longer allow us only to consider expediency. The only truly realistic policy is the one which accepts G.o.d as the highest Reality, and considers Him more important than all calculations of worldly wisdom, which only lead us astray.” [476]
In the months October and November, 1942, a general collection for the Aid to Refugees was held. Because of political considerations on the part of the authorities concerned, the planned 5-minute broadcasts could not take place. Nevertheless, the General Management of the broadcasting services agreed to broadcast short appeals under the slogan ”Contribute towards an Asylum for the Homeless”. [477] The ”Swiss Central Office for Aid to Refugees”
stated:
”If, however, the result of the fundraising is disappointing, all is lost. Not only will the organizations have no more money, but our opponents who even now are urging the complete closing of our borders, will then say to the Federal Government: 'Close the doors, let n.o.body in. The Swiss people do not want them...'” [478]
Many Church leaders publicly recommended this collection. Prof. Karl Bart did so in the following words: <216> ”There are reasons for and against aid to refugees as currently suggested to us Swiss. The reasons for are: The Christian reason. 'In as much as ye have done it unto one of these least, ye have done it unto me.' The refugees are our concern: not because they are valuable or agreeable human beings, but because in all the world they are to-day the lowest and the most miserable people, and as such they, with their inseparable companion the Saviour, knock on our door. They are our concern, not in spite of their being Jews but just because they are Jews, and as such are the Saviour's brethren in the flesh. (I suggest that this first reason is the strongest and may well be the one decisive and effective reason in this matter).
The Swiss reason. The refugees (whether they are aware of it or not) do us a great honour, in looking upon our country and seeking it out as the last refuge of justice and mercy. Many of the great and dreadful things which occurred in our time will be forgotten. After centuries, however, it will still be asked, whether Switzerland proved true to its name as the free Switzerland in these days, or renounced it. The question whether the Lest that we Swiss are capable of and have, can be preserved throughout the present crisis, will be decided only by opening our hearts and hands to these refugees, or by turning our backs upon them.
The Humane reason. We see in these refugees the fate we have miraculously been spared. It is quite true that we also are not too well off to-day. It is, however, equally true that we are well enough off to be in a condition exactly opposite to these unfortunate fellow-creatures: well-fed and even rich. Can we bear this, without wanting to help them to the best of our ability?
Would it not be disgraceful, even to let our lips suggest any reasons at all against offering such aid?” [479]
In December, 1942, 1,595 refugees were admitted and 330 sent back. At the end of December, the number of immigrants and refugees amounted to 16,200. Of the refugees, 8,467 had entered Switzerland illegally between August 1, 1942, and Dec. 31, 1942.