Correspondence from Howard Elting to Secretary of State related to the Holocaust
8/10/1942
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This correspondence from the Geneva consulate describes a conversation that the American Vice Consul Howard Elting, Jr. had with Gerhart M. Riegner, Secretary of the World Jewish Congress in early August 1942. Riegner relayed a report he received from a German businessman that there was a plan being discussed to exterminate all Jews in Germany and German-occupied territory. Riegner wanted this information to be shared with the Americans and their allies for confirmation and for it to be shared with Dr. Stephen Wise, President of the World Jewish Congress in New York.
Howard Elting, Jr., finding Riegner's account credible, relayed the conversation to the American Legation in Bern, Switzerland and eventually to the Secretary of State.
Riegner's message was not forwarded to Stephen Wise via the State Department, however. Leland Harrison, US Ambassador to Switzerland, called Riegner's report as having the "earmarks of war rumor inspired by fear." In addition, State Department officials called it "unsubstantiated" and that it would be unfair to the American public to share this story without some confirmation.
Riegner's message did make its way to Stephen Wise by the end of August 1942--he had shared the same details with the British Consulate in Geneva.
Howard Elting, Jr., finding Riegner's account credible, relayed the conversation to the American Legation in Bern, Switzerland and eventually to the Secretary of State.
Riegner's message was not forwarded to Stephen Wise via the State Department, however. Leland Harrison, US Ambassador to Switzerland, called Riegner's report as having the "earmarks of war rumor inspired by fear." In addition, State Department officials called it "unsubstantiated" and that it would be unfair to the American public to share this story without some confirmation.
Riegner's message did make its way to Stephen Wise by the end of August 1942--he had shared the same details with the British Consulate in Geneva.
This primary source comes from the General Records of the Department of State, 1763 - 2002.
National Archives Identifier: 6101792
Full Citation: Correspondence from Howard Elting to Secretary of State Cordell Hull with Enclosure concerning German extermination of Jews; 8/10/1942; 862.4016/2234; 862.4016; Central Decimal Files; General Records of the Department of State, 1763 - 2002, Record Group 59; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/correspondence-elting-to-hull-holocaust, June 19, 2025]Activities that use this document
- U.S. Policy and the Holocaust Refugee Crisis
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