Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, General: Political and Economic Matters, Volume II

840.48 Refugees/3–2845: Telegram

The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

Stockholm, March 28, 1945—8 p.m.
[Received March 29—9:12 a.m.]

1186. As reported in our 876 of March 7, noon to Department⁵⁹ (No. 129 for War Refugee Board) Felix Kersten went to Berlin in early March to render certain medical attention to Himmler.⁶⁰ Prior to his departure certain individuals here provided him with the memorandum of questions to be raised concerning the status of Jews in Germany. These questions included the following points:

(a) Assurances that food packages to Jews in German concentration camps were actually reaching destination;

(b) Permission to have future distribution of food packages from Sweden to be supervised by Swedish Red Cross:

(c) Number of Jews recently in Germany, broken down by number and location of each camp and data as to the nationality of such Jews;

(d) Question of eight various categories of Jews, such as those with South American passports (presently under negotiation by Swedish Government);

(e) General question of freeing larger groups of Jews against appropriate guarantees of transportation and support.

Kersten has not [now?] returned to Stockholm and has presented a rather incredible account of his discussions with Himmler which are presented below without comment.

He stated that at present there are about 350,000 Jews in Germany. He added that 8,000 of them have Palestine visas and probably would be released if Swedish Government took appropriate steps in the matter. He states that Himmler expressed a most sympathetic interest in Jewish problems, mentioning specifically the following:

(a) Himmler was especially interested to know that the 2,700 Jews arrived in Switzerland and whether this group had commented favorably upon the delivery of food packages;

(b) Himmler was receptive to the idea of placing Jews in specially arranged Red Cross camps with the administration completely under the jurisdiction of the Red Cross;

(c) Himmler called a meeting of all Jewish camp administrators for March 24 in order to give strict orders for the improved treatment of Jews hereafter. This will include the instruction that each camp leader hereafter will be held strictly accountable for the death of any Jew in his camp and will be required to file a full report of circumstances underlying any such death. Kersten added that, in his presence, Himmler dictated certain orders concerning the necessity of improved sanitary conditions in Jewish concentration camps;

(d) Himmler expressed a willingness to receive at once a special emissary from Sweden to discuss with him personally the Jewish problem. This was advanced with particular reference to a stateless Jew of Latvian origin (Storch, local representative of World Jewish Congress) who has been Legation’s intermediary in several contacts of similar nature; and

(e) Emphasis was placed on the unfortunate results in case these discussions were used by the Allies as propaganda to portray German weakness. It was added that because of the delicate nature of the discussions as well as rather well-known mixed feelings in Germany with respect to Jews, the entire matter most urgently must be handled with the greatest discretion.

Kersten has made available two extraordinary documents. The first, on official SS stationery and purportedly signed by Himmler, reads as follows in translation:

“Dear Mr. Kersten, First of all please accept with these lines my thanks for your visit. This time, as always, I have been glad when you came and with old friendship placed your great medical skill at my disposal.

During the long years of our acquaintanceship we have indeed discussed many problems and your attitude was always that of the physician who, remote from all politics, desires the good of the individual human being and of humanity as a whole.

You will be interested to know that during the course of the past 3 months I have brought about the realization of an idea which we once discussed. Roughly 2,700 Jewish men, women and children were taken to Switzerland in two trains. This is in effect the continuation of the policy which my collaborators and I have consistently pursued for many years until the war and the resulting folly in the world made it impossible to carry it out. You know, of course, that I in the years 1936, ’37, ’38, ’39, and ’40, in collaboration with Jewish American associations, created an emigration organization which functioned very fruitfully. The two trains which traveled into Switzerland are the intentional resumption, despite all difficulties, of this fruitful procedure.

From a prisoners camp at Bergen Belsen there recently came the rumor that a typhus epidemic of larger proportions had broken out. I immediately sent the hygienist of the SR[SS], Dr. Mrugrowski there with his staff. It was a question of cases in the camp of spotted typhus which unfortunately occurs very frequently among people from the East, but the cases are to be regarded as under control, thanks to the best medical and modern methods.

I have the conviction that, by eliminating demagogism and superficialities, despite all differences and in spite of most bloody wounds on all sides, wisdom and logic must prevail and at the same time the human heart and the spirit of helpfulness.

It goes without saying that, just as I have done throughout all the past years in good times and bad, I shall gladly examine requests which you transmit or communicate to me in the humanitarian sphere and, whenever it is at all possible, shall decide them generously.

With my hearty greetings to your respected dear wife, to your children and especially to you, with old attachment, your (signed) H. Himmler.”

The second, also on SS Headquarters stationery and signed by Himmler’s adjutant, R. Brandt, reads in part (in translation) as follows:

“Worthy and Dear Mr. Kersten, I can give you the very welcome news that the Reichsführer–SS intends to fulfill the requests which you expressed a few days ago.”

I am forwarding photostatic copies of the documents in question under secret despatch.⁶¹ The question of continuing indirect contacts of this nature is one regarding which I, as heretofore, would appreciate urgent instructions from the Department and War Refugee Board since Olsen and I are in agreement that such discussions are not without danger. In the past the principal merit of these discussions has been the time-gaining factor but the tempo of the war as well as the level to which this approach has reached suggest strongly that a basic policy and appropriate instructions are now most urgent. There is also the question of whether Storch should be permitted to go to Berlin. We are of the opinion based on our personal knowledge of Storch’s capabilities that it would be most unwise for him to go unless accompanied by a top-flight neutral thoroughly conversant with these problems who could dominate the discussions. This is apart from the over-all question of whether any such discussions should be held at all.

Johnson

59. Not printed.
60. Felix Kersten, a Finnish resident of Stockholm, had attended Himmler for some year’s.
61. Despatch 5356, April 3, 1945, not printed.