Letter from Charles Huber to Mr. Moses A. Leavitt

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Comite International
de la Croix Rouge a Geneve, Suisse
Delegation aux Etats-Unis
d'Amerique
- ——
v-.
International Coramktee^j&f^iSe
Red £''Cross
lmittee^©!
i
in Geneyaf^witzerland,
afSwitzer
Delegation" to theJ^jntftetTStates
of America
"pT^*
1645 Connecticut Ave. N. W.
6$
Washington 9, D. G.
July 3 r d , 1945
Ini freplying, rdfer to {...rr.f.Tr.f...
M r . Moses A, L e a v i t t , S e c r e t a r y ,
.American J e w i s h J o i n t D i s t r i b u t i o n C o m m i t t e e , I n c . ,
270 Madison Avenue,
NEW YORK 1 6 , N . Y .
Dear M r . L e a v i t t ,
Pursuant to our letter of June 5th, 1945
in which we gave you a resume of a visit made to the
concentration camp of Theresienstadt under date of April 7th,
1945.
As mentioned at the time, our Headquarters
in Geneva had mentioned that thay would send us another report.
We are now in receipt of a report established by our Delegate
Mr. Dunant when he visited this camp again under date of April
21st, 1945, and transmitted to us by a letter dated in Geneva
on May 4th.
We enclose herewith for your information
a copy of theT accompanying letter from Geneva as well as a copy
of Mr. Dunant s report.
Kindly acknowledge receipt of this
documentation at your convenience so that our files might be
kept in order.
We beg to remain,
Sincerely yours,
•7/ 4
CHARLES HUBER,
Delegate.
sgc.
ends.
o 5;: 3 i
(Translated from French N.H.)
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE
of the
RED CROSS
Geneva, May 4> 194-5
Central Agency
for Prisoners of war
G 8/47
G 59/12
C R/te
No 1678
Note to the Delegation of the I.C.R.C. in Washington
Concerning; visit to Theresienstadt by the Delegates of
the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Pursuant to our letter of April 27, 1945, we
herewith forward you for your information the copy of
the second report which our Delegate, Mr. Dunant had
made during his visit to the camp of Theresienstadt,
April 21, 1945.
For the International Committee
of the Red Cross*
signed: "
Department for Special Assistance
Rapport No. 3.
Frague, le 23 avril 1945.
There3ionstadt :
J'ai visits Theresienstadt le 21 oourant apresmldl.
En. pronant contact avec le chef du camp, j'ai
demand© yie le Conseil. des j\ncians soit^reuni clans le but de
recevoir ma declaration ot do rapondre a diffarentes questions
que j'avais a poser. Je vuls xapporter aussi fidelement que
possible, sous forme de dialogue, oettc phase de raon court sejour
au Chetto.
Dunant: '' Le Comito International d'e la Croix-Rouge m'a charge
tout speclaloment de vos interests. J'ai eonsacro mon temps entre
ma premiere visite du 6 avril jusnu'a aujourd'hul a 1'execution
decette mission. Le ^ouvernement du Frotectorat m'a assure, qu'a
moins dn necessito strategique, oorsonne nr> serait deplace du
camp jusou'au jour de a a liquidation. Callo-oi s«ra assuraa par
les noins du 0onit6 International en collaboration d'institutions
juives. <Te vous aria <{••) me faciliter ma mission en assurant
1'administration o.t I'ordre de la villa pendant la periode de
transaction comma vous l'avez fait et continues a le faire sous
l'autorite allemando. Vous aure;: vraisenblablement a recevoir a
Theresienstadt des coreligionnaires 6vaoues d'autres camps, voire
rneme des internes civils, prisormiers de guerre ou blesses. Vous
devez vous souvenir aue, quelle3 que soient las conditions de
vie ici, vous y trouverez plus de confort at moins do risques que
sur le cliemin de 1'Evacuation."
- Kurmalstein: "Ho.tro Consail a toujours maintenu I'ordre et la
discipline a Thoresienstadt et il en sera da meme pour 1'avenir."
- D.: "Quelles sont les personnes qui ont quitto le camp a dater
du 6 avril courant?"
- M.: "423 Juifs danois ou d'autres nationalites habitant le
Danamark sont partis avoc lour chef, Dr. Fillingar, sur 35 vehicules de la Croix-Kouga suedolse. La colonne etait aocompagnee
par la dooteur suedois Holm" (ce renseignement m'avait d6jn ate
fourni par le chef du camp).
,,
- D.: "Y a-t-il d'autres personnes qui sont sorties du camp au
cours de cette raeme periode?"- M.: "Personne d'autre."
- D.: "Est-ce l'avis des membres du'Conseil? "
Reponse affirmative mais muette de I'un d'eux.
T)>ir,rO»TI«N U N -I'M*!
Kivr'rNi»fc*'r AVIUM o r
AMCMCU
- D.: " V e u i l l a z m e r e p o n d r e p a r oui o u p a r n o n . "
A f f i r m a t i o n p l u s precise des quatre m e m b r e s .
- D.: "Veuillez etablir una fauille de presence de votre r e u nion qui sera signee par tous les m e m b r e s . Vous y stipularez
vos responses a ces deux p o i n t s .
M o n s i e u r M u r m e l s t e i n , volci une liste de 33 personnes
ou f a m i l i e s . Ja^vous prie de me repondre en t5t,ablissant trois
l i s t e s : la premiere co^prondra les personnes qui so trouvent
a T h e r e s i e n s t a d t : la douxiarne, celles qui s'y trouvaient et
qui sont parties an p r e c i s a n t la d a t e de lour depart e t ,
si p o s s i b l e , l o u r d e s t i n a t i o n : l a trois ierne, celles qui ne sont
jamais entrees a. T h e r e s i e n s t a d t . "
- M . : "Jo vais
etablir le rapport et les listes quo v o u s m e
d e m a n d e z . V o u s a y e z p a r l e de la liquidation du camp; que f a u t il entendre par l a ? "
- D.: "Le camp sera un jour liquide. Ce sara domain ou dans
dix ans. Ceci depend aussi bien des decisions de 1'Autorite
allenande cue da la situation militaira. II ne m'est pas possible d'en fixer la date dans le tamps. 35ais, on tous cas, je
serai ici en personna pour r.'occupar de cette liquidation."
Get :mtretien qui s'est tanu on presence ^u chef du
camp et de son lieutenant, ainsl rue d'un insnecteur de la
police do surete de Prague, prenant fin, j'ai fait part ou
chef du camp, cu'en attendant lea repensas ecritas, mon intention atait de visiter Theresienstadt. Pendant dear heures et
sans aucune objection de la part d'officiers at civils allomands qui m'accompagnaiant, j'ai pu inspector tout ce qui au
cours de la visite du 6 avait provoque ma curiosite. De cette
promenade absolument libre a travers les edifices de la villa
et des baraouements annexes, je rapporta la mono impression
que nous avais eue, ,'ur Lohnar at moi, au cours de notre visite du 6 at la conviction nu'aucune mise en scene speciale
n'avait ete preparee pour cette visite officiolle. Les habi.tants de Theresienstadt y vivent tous les jours comma nous
avons eu 1'occasion do constater a trois reprises. En ce
moment, dos contingents juifs d'autres camps sont diriges sur
Theresienstadt. lis y arrivent naturelle.ment dans un etat pitoyable, mais tout y est prevu pour l^s amener rapidement au
niveau de ceux oui les y ont precedes. Depuis le 6 Theresienstadt
a vu sa population augmenter de 4.000 personnes (jeunos homines de„
13 a 30 ans).
Au cours d'un entretien anterieur, le
uat.on
Frank m'ayant assure quo tous les Juifs sur le che si in
qui passaient a proximity du Protectorat, seraiunt eir
Theresienstadt, j'ai pu, le jour-meme, constater EL'exe
e
oet ordre dans la ville d'Ausslg ou je m e suis rertfclu en quTftant
The res ienstadt.
- 3 -
En iin de journee, l'Ancien m'a apporte le protocole de leur reunion oui, contrairement a ma demande, ne
precise pas qu'a part les 423 danois dont il a ate question,
auoun autre interne du camp ne I'ait quitte entre le 6 et le
present a l'entretien, m'a assure que la chose serait faite.
81 je reqois ces precisions avant le depart du present rapport,
je les y^joindrai.
<T'ai ou 1 ' o c c a s i o n de m ' e n t r e t e n i r avoc El. P r a a g ,
e x - V i c e - P r e s i d e n t do l a Croix-Rouge n e e r l a n d a i s e , e t Mme A u r elie
li
Donnebaum qui m'a confirms auo son mari e t l e s deux a u t r o s memb r e s do sa f a m i l l e a v a i o n t e t e s ^ p a r e s d ' e l l e avant son e n t r e e
a Theresienstadt at eiriges sur une autre destination.
Voyage a A us sip; :
On m'avait signale a Prague des passages de trains
contenant d03 evacu6s blesses ou civils qui, a la suite du
bombardenent d'/iussig, etaient bloquee dans cette region. J'ai
profite de mon voyage a Theresienstadt pour mo rendre a Aussig
at y recolter des renseignements. Les employes de gare, autorites
militaires et de police ne n'ont pas dorms' grande precision. Les
convois nilitaires ont pu etre transborcles; lar; convois civils
sont encore en panne sur des voies do garage (je ne les ai pas
vus a proximite de la gare en tous cas); les convois de juifs
ont pris ou prennent a pied le ehemin de Theresienstadt. Les
deux bombardements de la semaine ont eto' serieux, Les trains
9ii "tationnsmant ont ete durement touch6s.
P.F. Dunant
Delegue
(l^^^JlH•.»n».^*•l^/^'Vn.'•^n•• i » M n » I O *
Report Ho. 3.
P rague, A pril 23, 194-5
Theresienstadt;
I visited Theresienstadt April 2 1, in the afternoon.
After having contacted the chief of the camp I asked that the
Seniors of the camp be called so that they could give me the required
statements and answer different questions I had to ask. I shall report
as accurately as possible, in the form of a dialogue, this part of my short
stay in the Ghetto.
Dunant: "I have been entrusted by the International C ommittee of the Red
Cross especially to protect your interests. I devoted my time between my
first visit of April 6 and today to the execution of that mission. The
government of the PrDtectorat has assured me that unless strategic reasons
req uire it nobody will be displaced from the camp till the day of its
liq uidation. The International Committe in cooperation with Jewish
institutions will take care of the liquidation. I beg you to faciliate
my mission by continuing the administration and preserving order in the
town during the transition period as you have done it and continue to do
it under the German authorities. Tou will probably have to receive in
Theresienstadt coreligionists evacuated from other camps, even civil interneas
prisoners of war or wounded men. You should remember that whatever the
living conditions be like, here you will find more confort and less risk
than on the road of evacuation."
- Murmelstein: "Our Council has always preserved order and discipline in
Theresienstadt and will do so in the future."
- Dunant: "Who are the persons who left the camp at the interval between
April 6 and now?"
- M: "423 Danish Jews or other nationals living in Danemark left with
their chief, Dr. Fillinger, on 35 vehicles of the Swedish R ed Cross.
Dr. Holm, a Swedish M.D. accompanied the convoy." (This information was
already given to me by the chief of the camp.)
- D.: " Are there other people who left the camp during the same period?"
- M.: "Nobody else."
- D.: "Is this the opinion of all the members of the Council?"
Affirmative answer by all except one who remains silent.
- D.: "lillhjrou answer me by saying yes or no, please."
More precise affirmation by all the four members.
- D.: " Will you please write the Minutes of your meeting which is to be
signed by all members, stipulating you answers to these two points.
,„.__
Mr. Murmelstein, here is a lest of 33 persons or families.
Will you, please answer me by making three lists: the first comprising names
- 2 -
of persons now in Theresinstadt; the second of those who were here and left,
giving precise date of their departure and their distination if possible;
the third comprising the names of those who never entered Theresienstadt."
- M.: "I shall make the requested report and the lists. You spoke about the
liquidation of the campj what is to be understood by it?2
- D.: "The camp will be liquidated one day. That can happen to-morrow or in
ten years. That depends as much on the German authorities as on the military
situation. I could not possibly fix a date. But, by all means I shall be here
to take care of this liquidation."
This conversation took place in the presence of the chief of camp and his
lieutenant as well as of an inspector of the Protective Police from Prague.
I informed the chief of the camp that while I was waiting for the written
answers I intended to visit Theresienstadt. During two hours and without
any objection tmcttKpsncfcxmcKxjcfcliirig by the Herman officers and civil authorities who accompanied me, I was able to inspect everything that provoked
my curiosity during my visit on April 6th. On this walk, which was absoljitely
free through the buildings of the town and the annexed barracks, I gained the
same impression that Dr. Lehner and I had during our visit on April 6th,
and I am convinced that no special st.ging had been prepared for this official
visit. The inhabitants of Theresienstadt live every day in the same way as we
had the opportunity to state three times. At this moment contiggents of Jews
from other camps are being sent to Theresienstadt. They naturally are in a
miserable condition bjitfallmeasures are taken to raise them as quickly as
possible to the level of those v/ho preceded them. Since April 6th, the
population of Theresienstadt increased by 4-.000 persons ( young men from
18 to 30 years of age).
During a previous discussion, the Minister of the State Frank
assured me that all Jews on the evacuation roads in the neighbourhood of
the Protectorat vri.ll be directed to Theresienstadt, and the same day I was
able to witness the execution of this order in the rown of Aussig which I
visited after leaving Theresienstadt.
A t the end of the day Mr. Murmelstein brought me the Minutes of
the meeting which, however, contrary to my demand do not state that except
the 423 Danes no internee left the camp between April 6 and April 21. I did
not think that I should insist on this point. Toray"lis'tof questions" he
handed me over a "list of answers"- There too he grouped the names of persons
who are in Theresienstadt and those who Left and never entered the camp so
that the formula could not satisfy me. He made me remark that the time was
too short for the establishament of such lists and I asked him to send them
to me. 'I'he chief of the camp preoent at this conversation promised me that
the thing will be done. If I receive this additional information before the
dispatch of this report I shall join them.
I had the opportunity of speaking to Mr. Praag, ex-Vice-President
of the Dutch Red Cross and Mrs. Aurelie Donnebaum who confirmed that her
husband and two other members of her family were separated fromfeerbefore
Jjer entering Theresienstadt jid sent to another -fstination.
- 3-
Trip to Aussig:
In Prague my attention was drawn to trains with wounded
evacuees or civilians vho were blocked in this region owing to the bombardment of Aussig. I took advantage of my visit to Theresienstadt and went to
Aussig to collect information on the spot. Neither the employees of the
railway station nor the military or phlice authorities told me much. The
military convoys could be transhipped; the civil convoys are still on the ±fa
railroad tracks $ I saw it from a distance); the convoys of Jews were
talcing on foot the road to Theresienstadt. The two bombardments of this week
were serious. The trains in the stations were heavily hit.
P.F. ^unant
Delegate of the
International Committee
of the •hed Cross.