Object numberM1991/016:013
DescriptionReport in German of a conversation between Salomon Frankfurter and Donaldson, the U.S. Consul Donaldson at the US consulate in Marseille, on 22 July 1941 regarding 609 internees of the “Camp des Milles”. The main purpose was to secure visas to America for the internees. In the first part of the report, Salomon writes: 'The general conditions in the camp were explained to him, of which he seemed to be aware. Then we came to speak of the failed emigration regulations and the resulting depressed mood in the camps. He agreed with us that the dossiers of the approximately 700 were in the financial respect seemingly in order and that also for the people the financial aspect of their passage was in order.'
Salomon Frankfurter, born 7.5.1886 in Vienna, interned as a refugee in France seeking emigration to the United States. With one exception, they are written in French, covering the period 1939 to 1942. They illustrate the lengthy process to collect required documentation from French authorities and to obtain with the help of HIAS-JCA Emigration Association (HICEM) and the American Consul General in France with necessary travel visa documents. Frankfurter succeeded in escaping Europe – from Marseille via Casablanca to the US. There is no further information on his life history.
Salomon Frankfurter, born 7.5.1886 in Vienna, interned as a refugee in France seeking emigration to the United States. With one exception, they are written in French, covering the period 1939 to 1942. They illustrate the lengthy process to collect required documentation from French authorities and to obtain with the help of HIAS-JCA Emigration Association (HICEM) and the American Consul General in France with necessary travel visa documents. Frankfurter succeeded in escaping Europe – from Marseille via Casablanca to the US. There is no further information on his life history.
Production date circa 1941
Object nameofficial reports
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- whole width: 208.00 mm
height: 268.00 mm
Language
- German Copy
Report of the discussion at the American Consulate
At the discussion which took place on the 22nd July 1941 at consul Donaldson’s were present as representatives of the camp: Koenigsfeld, J... Kahn, Simon and Lichtenstein.
Firstly Mr Donaldson was thanked for the reception. He was impressed by the fact that out of the 609 internees of the "Camp des Milles":
23 wives
40 mothers and fathers
270 children
590 brothers and sisters
live in the Unites States.
The general conditions in the camp were explained to him, of which he seemed to be aware. Then we came to speak of the failed emigration regulations and the resulting depressed mood in the camps. He agreed with us that the dossiers of the approximately 700 were in the financial respect seemingly in order and that also for the people the financial aspect of their passage was in order.
There-after, in all openness, the question was asked of him whether the existence of relatives in Germany or in German-occupied areas was in immigration problem. The answer was 'In my opinion this is not an obstacle'.
We then asked him to become a go-between of the "Camp des Milles" by post and on other respects with the State Department in Washington. He accepted that in pleasant form and to a large extend and also agreed to forward the telegram to the Department of State, in which all the inmates of Camp des Milles - without differentiation of their category - which means every inmate interested in emigration to the US ask for visiting visa valid for the duration of the war. Of course, a condition for this would be that these people would not in any manner be a financial burden on the American authorities. In addition, these people agree to be subject to special police surveillance. How far his [consul Donaldson] interest in that suggestion went may be judged from the following remark: He reserved the right, in the last instance to submit each candidate to a last individual scrutiny. This conversation concluded with the agreement that in the next few days the mentioned telegram with a memo on the discussions which had taken place, will be sent to the consul and that more conversations will take place in the nearest future, in order to speed up the emigration of the inmate of Camp des Milles. Consul Donaldson promised also a visit (in person) to the camps and the he would in particular tell the administration of the camp that the immigration to the US has definitely not ended yet.
The consul then asked the four gentlemen whim he considered the constant representatives of the camp for their further cooperation. We have in every respect promised complete support. We also stressed the necessity for the speeding up of the process. The impression we derived from these clear negotiations was very positive. So we also concluded that all contact with US authorities would be from now on only by agreement of the US consulate.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Salomon Frankfurter