Object numberM2018/008:016
DescriptionIn March 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in the “Anschluss”. From May 1938, the racist Nuremberg laws applied in Austria, and Austrian Jews were steadily ostracised from their societies during the process of “Aryanisation.” This tension came to a climax in the Kristallnacht pogrom from 9th-10th November.
In the meantime, Hardy Brothers, a British jewellery-making firm, offer young Leo Steiner from Vienna employment in Sydney, Australia as a jewellery mounter in July 1938. However, the Gestapo threaten to arrest Jews issued with travel documents who do not leave within a short time. Whilst Leo’s Australian landing permit is pending, it is therefore prudent to seek temporary refuge in a third country. Before he is discharged from his erstwhile firm Vienna Art Designs, Leo’s employer Oscar Fastlich writes that his stay in Switzerland is necessary for business. In July, Leo moves to Zurich on a temporary stay visa, leaving his parents, Adolf and Hermine, and brother Paul, behind in Vienna.
This letter from the Zurich foreign police rejects Leo’s request on behalf of his family members for a temporary stay in Switzerland whilst they await Australian landing permits. The reasons given for refusal are that the applicants’ ongoing journey is not guaranteed and that they possess insufficient ID (possibly referring to the fact that, excluding Leo, the Steiner family still do not have passports).
In the meantime, Hardy Brothers, a British jewellery-making firm, offer young Leo Steiner from Vienna employment in Sydney, Australia as a jewellery mounter in July 1938. However, the Gestapo threaten to arrest Jews issued with travel documents who do not leave within a short time. Whilst Leo’s Australian landing permit is pending, it is therefore prudent to seek temporary refuge in a third country. Before he is discharged from his erstwhile firm Vienna Art Designs, Leo’s employer Oscar Fastlich writes that his stay in Switzerland is necessary for business. In July, Leo moves to Zurich on a temporary stay visa, leaving his parents, Adolf and Hermine, and brother Paul, behind in Vienna.
This letter from the Zurich foreign police rejects Leo’s request on behalf of his family members for a temporary stay in Switzerland whilst they await Australian landing permits. The reasons given for refusal are that the applicants’ ongoing journey is not guaranteed and that they possess insufficient ID (possibly referring to the fact that, excluding Leo, the Steiner family still do not have passports).
Production placeZürich, Switzerland
Production date 1938-12-12 - 1938-12-12
SubjectHolocaust, Nazi political activities (1933-1939), refugees, refugees, refugee camps, refugee experiences in Australia, Visa Refusal
Object nameletters
Dimensions
- letter length: 210.00 mm
letter width: 192.00 mm
envelope length: 163.00 mm
envelope width: 114.00 mm
Language
- German Official
Police Management of the Canton of Zuerich
Dept: Foreign Police
Envelope addressed to Mr Leo Steiner,
Currently in Emigrant Camp Faellanden.
Refusal of Entry and Residence Permit
The Federal Foreign Police, further to examination of the Petition of
Steiner Adolf, born 20 May 1887, citizen of the German Empire (Austria) and spouse: Hermine born Klinger, born 20 April 1981 and son: Paul, born 10 February 1921
Inform of the following:
The request for approval of a stay in Zurich has been
Declined
By the Foreign Police of the Canton of Zurich
Entry to Switzerland for any other purpose other than transit within a 24 hour period from 8 December 1940 is prohibited without specific approval of the Federal Foreign Police in Berne. After December 8 the general rules for entry and stays apply.
Grounds: Onward journey is not guaranteed. Insufficient ID
Federal Foreign Police
Re:
Applicant: Mr Adolf Steiner, Vienna XX, Treustr. 3
Delivered via the Swiss General Consulate in Vienna
Employer [crossed out in pencil]: Mr Leo Seiner, currently in Emigrant Camp, Faellanden, via Canton.
Verso: Appeal: [Paragraph re instructions for Appeal]
The Foreigner notes the precise wording of the order [2 paras reiterating entry restrictions]
Contravention of the Order will be punished (Art. 23 of the Federal Laws); in addition to which the alien will be permanently expelled from Switzerland.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit