The principal sources for this book were the American, Swiss, British and French national archives, and archives of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and the American Joint Distribution Committee (AJDC). I also interviewed about forty people.
American archive sources are identified by RG; the British archives sources are the Foreign Office (FO), Treasury (T) and War Office (WO); references to documents from the Swiss archives start with the letter E; the remainder are from the French archives.
CHAPTER 1: CONFRONTATION AND TEARS
1At the head. E 4110 (A) 1973/85, Bd 1.
6“the completely impossible.” RG 59 1950–4 Box 1013 254.0041/7–1150.
CHAPTER 2: THE SEEDS OF CRIME
20Some eyewitnesses, such. Alfred Haesler, The Lifeboat Is Full (Funk & Wagnalls, 1969), p. 77.
21“overrun with Jews.” Ibid., pp. 8, 10.
By 1942, just. Ibid., p. 19.
Unscrupulous Swiss businessmen. RG 131 Foreign Funds Control, Safehaven Report 159, October 30, 1945.
Weissmann’s only comfort. RG 58, 1945–9 Box 4202 April 17, 1946.
“We must protect.” Haesler, Lifeboat, p. 9.
22“His report on.” Ibid., p. 110.
24“Jewish dollars.” Jacques Picard, Die Schweiz und die Juden (Chronos, 1994), p. 416.
Even Jews born. Ibid., p. 67 28
28“We have fulfilled.” Haesler, Lifeboat, p. 160.
28a “wild story.” Tom Bower, Blind Eye to Murder (Little Brown, 1996), p. 34.
CHAPTER 3: THE CRUSADE
29“redolent of Dickensian.” TB/Ida Klaus.
31To forestall that. RG 169, FEA, Box 991 Margaret Clarke, Monograph, “The Safehaven Study,” p. 25.
On Klaus’s initiative. Ibid., p. 83.
“Anticipating defeat, enemy.” FO 371/45812.
32Tellingly, the diplomats. Clarke, “Safehaven Study,” p. 93.
“Where voluntary cooperation.” Ibid., p. 123.
“would not be.” Ibid., p. 124.
“investigate and report.” FO 371/40579 August 23 and September 28, 1944.
Seeking out journalists. Clarke, “Safehaven Study,” p. 42; FO 371 40579, telegram sent by State Department to foreign legations, August 23, 1944.
Flying from London. FO 371/40579 August 23, 1944.
33Their reception seemed. TB/Cummings. Cummings says that, contrary to the Clarke report, he and Klaus did visit Switzerland during that trip. See Clarke, “Safehaven Study,” p. 48.
34The Swiss, as. FO 371/49714 March 1, 1945.
37The country’s predominant. FO 192/199 January 31, 1947. “either German agents.” RG 226 Records of the OSS “Enemy Agents and the Red Cross” Box 1.
“finely developed net.” RG 260 OMGUS Records of Property Division, German intelligence, Switzerland-German Assets Misc. Box 654.
38Glad to receive. RG 59 800.515/4–1246, State Department German Safehaven Operations in Switzerland April 22, 1946.
“as thoroughly reliable.” RG 131 Foreign Funds Control Safehaven, E 060764 and E 060735 March 5, 1941.
The Germans hoped. FO 371/45812.
38To protect those. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 23 (Nr 1–91) February 6, 1947.
39The only trace. RG 260 OMGUS Property Control Box 653; RG 59 1945–9 Box 4205 May 6, 1946.
The Swiss lawyer. Safehaven Report, February 1946.
a “patriotic duty.” FO 1031/89 page 14.
Thereafter, Iselin was. FO 935/18.
In London and. Other specialist fences identified by the British were Bankhaus Ernst Lochman, Bankhaus J. von Tobel and Bank von Ernst in Zurich. Ruegg’s accomplices were paid to swear affidavits that German assets in Sweden had been purchased or were owned by Swiss corporations and nationals since 1940. The bank sold the assets as Swiss property and transferred the proceeds through the Enskilda Bank and Gotsland Bank in Stockholm back to Switzerland. (RG 131 Foreign Funds Control, Safehaven Report, October 15, 1945.) Alternatively, Ruegg transferred German money out of Switzerland by selling sanitized share certificates accompanied by false affidavits to the Enskilda Bank in Sweden. (RG 131 Foreign Funds Control Box 382 Safehaven Report 481, October 15, 1945; Nicholas Faith, Safety in Numbers [Hamish Hamilton, 1982], p. 118.)
40The announcement that. FO 371/45812.
By December 31. SF450 million by the end of 1941 and SF650 million by June 30, 1942; FO 371/49714 March 1, 1945.
41As the war. RG 260 OMGUS Records of Property Division, German intelligence, Switzerland-German Assets Misc. Box 654. By the end. U.S. Treasury, Currie Mission File March 22, 1945.
In London, the. FO 371/34875 May 3, 1943.
In Bern, the. FO 192/198 “Swiss trade policy during the war, Zurich 1946.”
42Their subsequent explanation. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Sitzung 9.9. 1947.
43Posing as the. Faith, Safety in Numbers, p. 49.
The bankers could. E 2001 (E) 1968/79 Bd 2 September 21, 1948.
43No one, however, was. E 7160–01 1968/223 Bd 214 April 28, 1947, Stucki’s inquiry about Göring’s bank deposits.
The more sophisticated. RG 131 Foreign Funds Control, Box 382, State Department, “Types of Financial Operations in Switzerland”; U.S. Control Martin Bronfenbrenner, Memorandum from Delman, November 18, 1943; and “Switzerland, the Reich’s foremost supplier of foreign exchange.” Economic Warfare (Intelligence) Series 588, December 9, 1942.
44A Swiss investigation. RG 59 1945–9 Box 4218 Walter Ostrow, Memorandum for the Files, Bern February 25, 1947; and March 4, 1947. U.S. Treasury Dept re Swiss banks and Safehaven. The pressure was from Bundesrat Stampfli.
“a better system.” U.S. Treasury, re Swiss banks and Safehaven, Mann memorandum March 5, 1947.
Regularly, Allied intelligence. RG 131 Foreign Funds Control, SHAEF Report November 7, 1944.
Buehrle and other. RG 266 Records of OSS, interview with Meck May 27, 1946.
The Reichsbank’s ledgers. RG 266 Records of OSS, interview with Landwehr May 27, 1946.
45“pro-Fascist financial operators.” RG 169 Entry 141A Box 1419 January 5, 1945.
Echoing Sholes and. Clarke, “Safehaven Study.” p. 131.
Both banks controlled. U.S. Treasury re Swiss banks and Safehaven June 3, 1947.
46Passing information to. U.S. Treasury, “Switzerland and the Axis February 1, 1943: Schmidt-Branden file,” May 28, 1945.
47“over-persuaded [by] Swiss. FO 371/34875 April 20, 1943. Foot’s “severe warning.” FO 371/34875 April 16, 1943.
48“our action is.” Ibid.
To emphasize its. FO 371/34875 April 21, 1943.
“make agreements with.” FO 371/34878 February 18, 1943.
49Since he had. FO 371/39844 August 28, 1944; FO 371/34875 May 21, 1943.
Allied sanctions were. FO 371/34877 November 18, 1943.
52On the eve. FO 371/45749 November 1945; FO 837/1173 June 18, 1949.
53Asked why the. RG 59 State Department 800.515/12–0942.
That would prove. RG 59 State Department 800.515/1–1845.
54Identified Swiss traders. RG 59 State Department 800.515/11–2044.
Other Swiss traders. RG 319 Records of the Army Staff reports and Messages, 1918–51 to State Department. Switzerland, 12/2/46–3/31/47 Bx 1062; Hutzler of Spohnhols Bank of Berlin Box 1016.
Sympathetic Swiss customs. RG 131 Foreign Funds Control Box 382, FEA “Looted Art in Occupied Territories, Neutral Countries and Latin America,” May 5, 1945 by James Plaut.
55The Swedish government. FFC report, August 1943.
To the Reichsbank. Werner Rings, Raubgold aus Deutschland (Zurich, 1985), pp. 51, 70.
“if the gold.” Ibid., p. 52.
“One cannot discover.” Ibid., p. 48.
56Weber chose again. Vogler report, “Der Goldverkehr der Schweizerischen Nationalbank mit der Deutschen Reichsbank 1939/45,” September 1984.
“clearly without enthusiasm.” FO 371/40579 January 1944.
Spain’s had risen. FO 371/65002 April 7, 1947.
“unlawful disposition of.” FO 371/40579 February 22, 1944.
57The only precaution. Vogler report.
Isolated in Bern. RG 59 1945–9 Box 4206 Gold Swiss reaction to February 1944 declaration p. 6.
Considering that over. RG 131 Foreign Funds Control Box 380, Swiss president’s speech May 1944.
provide “unchallengeable sanctuaries.” FO 371/40579 June 5, 1944.
58When the prospect. RG 131 1942–0 Box 51 July 1944.
In a series. FO 371/39169 June 20, 1944.
58Indifferent to the. FO 371/39844 August 28, 1944.
Morgenthau again asked. RG 59 1945–9 Box 4206 Gold Swiss reaction to February 1944 declaration p. 6 August 23, 1944.
“I do not.” FO 371/39169 July 7, 1944.
“Tight and capable.” TB/Cummings.
CHAPTER 5: “AN IMPENETRABLE RACKET”
59“In their dealings.” FO 371/39860 May 18, 1944.
“The Gestapo might.” RG 59 State Department to Bern embassy 800.515/8–2544.
60The flood of. RG 131 1942–0 Box 51 July 27, 1944.
be “very busy.” FO 371/40579 September 1944 from Troutbeck; FO 371/40996 September 16, 1944; Clarke, “Safehaven Study,” p. 46.
“Deportation means the.” Haesler, Lifeboat, p. 195.
61In September 1943. Ibid., p. 202.
Heroically, despite reprimanding. Martin Gilbert, The Holocaust (Collins, 1986), pp. 701–2, 752–5.
bore “propaganda value.” Haesler, Lifeboat, p. 286.
62In Budapest, Eichmann. Yehuda Baur, Jews for Sale? (Yale University Press, 1994), p. 164.
Becher’s charm secured. National Zeitung Basel October 13, 1945; Baur, Jews for Sale?, p. 164 and passim.
63Swiss police confided. RG 266 Records of OSS, Eduard von der Heydt report.
“In the past.” Allemagne, Régime des biens allemands, série P9713, vol. III, pp. 43–6 bis.
The knowledge that. Allemagne, Régime des biens allemands, série P9713, vol. III, pp. 54–5.
“The Allied governments.” FO 371/39844 August 24, 1944.
64Orvis Schmidt, the. FO 371/39844 August 5, 1944.
65Endorsing that scheme. RG 131 Foreign Funds Control, Box 369.
65Blaming the “political.” RG 59 State Department 800.515/9–1944.
67“ready to be.” Clarke, “Safehaven Study,” p. 15.
In early January. U.S. Treasury re Swiss banks and Safehaven, report on Dr. Ricco Bessola in Latin America August 17, 1943.
The neutral was. State Department Instruction No. 4985 based on Executive Committee on Economic Foreign Policy December 8, 1944.
68“secure the objectives.” FO 371/45812 January 16, 1945.
“Any resurgence of.” FO 371/45812 January 15, 1945.
“we cannot disinterest.” FO 371/45750 February 27, 1945.
69“the impenetrability of.” RG 59 1945–9 Box 3660 800.515/1–1345 January 13, 1945.
“No Swiss banks.” State Department U.S. embassy Wellington, New Zealand January 15, 1945, Speech of Dr. Walter Schmidt. “it is quite.” RG 169 Entry 141A Box 1419 January 5, 1945.
In confirmation of. WO 219/1655 January 15, 1945.
70Similarly defiant, it. RG 260 OMGUS. Property Control Box 653; RG 59 1945–9 Box 4205 May 6, 1946.
carrying “large sums.” FEA/Treasury January 15, 1945.
Reports from Sweden. FDR Library February 3, 1945.
of stolen furs. FO 371/45750 February 6, 1945.
71His ideal solution. RG 56 U.S. Treasury, White to Morgenthau February 1945.
“of utmost importance.” RG 59 1945–9 Box 4179 800.515 13/2–1945 Bissell to Lyons February 19, 1945.
72Under the direction. RG 59 1945–9 Box 4206 Conduct of Swiss Banking Institutions, Interrogation of Walter Schellenberg.
Inevitably, his campaign. RG 59 1945–9 Box 4180 4F11 Bern March 2, 1945.
73“the sole international.” Faith, Safety in Numbers, p. 91.
74“I know in.” Roger Sandilands, The Life and Political Economy of Lauchlin Currie (Duke University Press, 1990), p. 138.
An urgent recommendation. RG 501 945–9 Box 3523 740.00112 EA/2–645 February 6, 1945 Huddle to State Department.
75Throughout the war. Relations bilatérales Suisse/France, Côte EU 29–8–3, vol. 59, pp. 162–9.
“is a noble.” New York Times, July 30, 1945, p. 6.
Regularly invited to. Commission permanante de conciliation Franco-Suisse, Côte EU 29–8–3 s/d, vol. 19, pp. 29–33.
“renowned as a.” FO 371/55574 January 1946.
76letter marked “urgent.” E 2 800(-) 1967/61 Bd 97.
77Stucki had delegated. 800.515/1–2645.
To secure Currie’s. T 236/1602 February 16, 1945.
78Naturally, the banks. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 November 12, 1946. “sure that the.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 vol. 5 October 28, 1947.
79The Allied demand. Clarke, “Safehaven Study,” p. 143.
In Currie’s opinion. FO 371/45750 and Memorandum of Dr. Philippe Rossiez December 15, 1945. RG 319, Records of the Army Staff, Reports and Messages, 1918–51 State Department, Switzerland, Box 1058.
Under the agreement. T 236/1602 March 8, 1945.
all German shipments. FO 371/45812 March 8, 1945. The onus for proving ownership was on the shipper.
80“The Swiss government.” RG 59 1945–9 Box 4206 “Violation by the Swiss of March 1945 Agreement.”
eight-page letter. T 236/1602 March 8, 1945.
Currie’s euphoric telegram. FRUS 1945 vol. V, p. 782; Linus von Castlemur, Schweizerisch-Alliierre Finanzbeziehungen im Übergang vom Zweiten Welt Krieg (Chronos, 1992), p. 24 n. 27.
81“thwarted the Nazis.” Sandilands, Currie, p. 139.
practiced “virtual deceit.” RG 59 1945–9 Box 4234 September 5, 1947.
“This will have.” T 236/1602 March 26, 1945.
“We need to.” T 236/1602 February 15, 1945.
“You are not.” T 236/1602 February 22, 1945.
as “explosive stuff.” T 236/1602 March 2, 1945.
82“the rich Jew.” Vogler report, p. 17.
84“despite the enemy.” “Introduction,” Elimination of German Resources for War: Germany’s Relationship with Switzerland. Report of the Kilcore Committee, United States Senate, 1945.
84“did not ask.” U.S. War Crimes Office, Safehaven Report, Puhl statement November 17, 1945.
his “considerable achievement.” Cited, Introduction “Elimination of German resources for war”: Germany’s relationship with Switzerland.
85“very influential in.” U.S. Treasury, Currie Mission File March 22, 1945.
In the euphoria. RG 226 E183 Box 21; Schmidt to Rubin April 21, 1945.
In a continent. RG 131 1942–60 Box 51 Safehaven February and March 1945; FO 935 18 June 12, 1945.
A “sudden increase.” FO 837/1285 March 16, 1945.
“large amounts of.” FO 371/49710 February 22, 1945.
86“The Germans will.” FO 371/45750 March 16, 1945.
Quietly, the more. RG 260 OMGUS Property Control Box 653; RG 59 1945–9 Box 4205 May 6, 1946
CHAPTER 6: CRACKS
88“appearance of quiet.” RG 56 U.S. Treasury, Mann, Memorandum for the files May 29, 1945.
After two weeks. TB/Morton Bach.
89“Herman Kasper left.” RG 56 U.S. Treasury, Mann, Memorandum for the files May 29, 1945.
Switzerland’s “omissions,” “disregard.” RG 131 1942–50 Gordon to Schmidt Box 457 May 8, 1945.
All that remained. Clarke, “Safehaven Study,” p. 102.
Without a unified. Ibid., p. 190.
90So many senior. RG 226 Records of OSS Entry 90 Box 2 May 25, 1945.
“strictly confidential” letter. RG 56 U.S. Treasury, Ostrow and Mann to White May 29, 1945.
The declared deposits. New York Times November 25, 1946.
“hundreds of paintings.” Preliminary estimates of the Swiss-German Creditor-Debtor position. RG 59 1945–9 Box 4206.
91Asked by Safehaven. State Department Swiss Accord February 23, 1951.
Rapidly their inventory. U.S. OMGUS Finance branch, Currency Div. June 18, 1945.
91“This question may.” FO 371/40579 May 1944.
Henriques set the. Ibid.
93“dangerous to do.” Ibid.
Henriques’s prejudice appeared. RG 131 1942–60 Entry 74 Box 784 January 19, 1945.
Fearing “double odium.” FO 371/40579 June 5, 1944.
“Restitution of identifiable.” FO 371/40579 July 1944 Appx A to ACAO/P (44) 99 Armistice Administration Official Committee.
“One thing must.” FO 371/40579 July 26, 1944.
94“Information is so.” FO 371/40579 July 22, 1944.
“We shall doubtless.” FO 371/45750 April 13, 1945.
German property seized. FO 371/45750 March 28, 1945.
That, he knew. FO 1046/210 May 18, 1945.
95“to make money.” FO 371/45812 May 2, 1945.
“In my opinion.” FO 371/45812 May 18, 1945.
“to get financial.” FO 371/49676; FO 371 45813 August 7, 1945.
“If there’s no.” FO 371/45812.
96“so inadequate that.” RG 131 Foreign Funds Control, Schmidt to White June 1945.
97“They stand,” Lubin. T 236/1478 July 11, 1945.
98Abramovitz had previously. TB/Abramovitz.
“By treating the.” T 236/1478 July 18, 1945.
99“Switzerland must recognize.” FO 371/45813 August 7, 1945.
“If we take.” FO 371/45813 July 31, 1945.
“It will pay.” FO 371/45813 August 7, 1945.
100In the same. RG 59 1945–9 Box 4183 Telegram 3667 July 24, 1945.
“actual reasons for.” RG 319, Records of the Army Staff Reports and Messages 1918–51 Switzerland Box 1056 July 24, 1945.
101“It is galling.” Biens et interêts Suisse en France, sept. 1944-jan. 1949, Côte Z428–1–2. Z429–1, vol. 32, February 5, 1948.
103The obstacle, he. E 7160 (A) a 1968/223 Bd 36 (Direktionsprotokolle SVS) April 17, 1945.
“The banks say.” E 7160 (A) a 1968/223 Bd 36 (Direktionsprotokolle SVS) March 13, 1945.
“If we cannot.” E 7160 (A) a 1968/223 Bd 36 (Direktionsprotokolle SVS) April 28, 1945.
104“the role of.” E 2800 (-) 1967/61 Bd 88 (Banques Suisse) May 30, 1945.
“I’m astonished,” exploded. E 7160 (A) a 1968/223 Bd 36 (Direktionsprotokolle SVS).
105“We need them.” RG 131 Foreign Funds Control, General Corr. Box 382 October 18, 1945.
107“Switzerland gave the.” FO 935/18; FO 1046/210 August 14 and 29, 1945.
“so many and.” FO 371/48021 October 6, 1945.
“We cannot simply.” FO 371/45813 August 15, 1945.
“The quiet confidence.” FO 371/45814 November 1, 1945.
108“This is the.” FO 371/49729 August 30, 1945.
Kaehlitzhad emphasized. RG 59 1945–9 800.515 3/8 1945.
Ignoring the Americans’ irritation. Foreign Relations of the United States, 1945 vol. II, pp. 899–900.
CHAPTER 7: THE NAZIS’ FRIENDS
109To combat aggressive. FO 371/46766 September 15, 1945.
110“permanently [to] escape.” FO 371/55574 December 19, 1945.
American investigators in. U.S. Treasury, re: Swiss banks and Safehaven, Mann memorandum for the files June 3, 1947.
Schaefer launched a. New York Times, June 24, 1946, p. 35.
a “meaningless gesture.” FO 371/45813 September 1945.
111A case pursued. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) November 6, 1950.
Foreign Office officials. FO 371/50443 September 6, 1945.
111A Jew like Frederick. RG 58, 1945–9 Box 4202 April 17, 1946.
112“I personally regard.” FO 371/45813 September 20, 1945.
“We’ll do it.” FO 371/45813 September 25, 1945.
“On what Swiss.” FO 371/45814 September 26, 1945.
“They’re perfectly correct.” FO 371/45813 September 13, 1945.
113“This will go.” FO 371/45814 September 26, 1945.
“It’s no different.” RG 59 1945–9 Swiss Aide-Mémoire, April 1946 Box 4206; RG 59 1945–9 Box 3527 740.00112 EW/9–1445.
“heavy moral burden.” FO 192/198 “Swiss trade policy during the war, Zurich 1946.”
The promised census. RG 56 U.S. Treasury Mann to White October 10, 1945.
Compounding the insult. RG 56 U.S. Treasury, re: Swiss banks and Safehaven, Mann memorandum March 5, 1947.
“Switzerland’s policy is.” RG 56 U.S. Treasury Mann to White October 10, 1945.
114“guilty of dilatoriness.” RG 59 1945 Box 4194 October 4, 1945.
“Swiss violations of.” RG 84 1942–9 Box 4194 November 28, 1945.
“little value in.” RG 59 1945–9 FW 800.515/8–145 October 5, 1945.
115The “relaxation on.” RG 56 U.S. Treasury Mann to White October 13, 1945.
“an old friend.” FO 371/49710 October 18, 1945.
116Weber approved financial. E 2800 (-) 1967/61 Bd 88 (Société de Banque Suisse).
“to fulfill its.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 28 (Korrespondenz AK) November 19, 1947.
117Summoning journalists, he. RG 131, Dept of Justice, Records of the Office of Alien Property; Foreign Funds Control, General Correspondence 1942–60 Box 446; New York Herald Tribune, October 29, 1945.
“America’s terrorizing the neutrals.” FO 371/45814 October 1945.
117Only the property. FO 371/46767 October 20, 1945.
Overnight, dozens of. FO 1031/10 January 25, 1946; Eisenhower agreed to postpone widespread publication of the decree by one month to allow the British to champion Rubin’s approach. FO 371/45813 October 12, 1945.
“the world safe.” RG 56 U.S. Treasury, re Swiss banks and Safehaven, Mann to White August 2, 1945.
118Among the victims. U.S. Treasury re Swiss banks and Safehaven December 12, 1945.
Listed for seizure. AJDC, letter October 27, 1947.
119Insensitively, all individual. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 95 (49, 11. Verordnung zum dt. Reichsbürgergesetz) August 3, 1945.
120“It’s immoral,” he. T 236/1478 October 12, 1945.
“It was never.” TB/Rubin.
Surely that fact. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 95 (49, 11. Verordnung zum dt. Reichsbürgergesetz) July 6, 1945.
121The pro-Nazi lobby. E 7160 (A) 1 1968/54 Berichtüber die Tätigkeit der Abteilung, 1946/47.
Championing that discrimination. E 2001 (E) 1968/79 Bd 2.
122“That prevents any.” Ibid.
123“should adopt a.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 95 (49, 11. Verordnung zum dt. Reichsbürgergesetz) September 29 and October 12, 1945.
124“Never rely on.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 95 (49, 11. Verordnung zum dt. Reichsbürgergesetz) November 25, 1945.
Jews and Nazis. E 9500.193, 1969/150 Bd 2 December 17, 1945.
CHAPTER 8: THE PAWNS
125“We’re doing our.” TB/Abramovitz.
126To that money. T 236/1478 December 24, 1945; T 236/1479 April 20 and 22, 1947.
There were, Waley. T 236/1478 November 5, 1945.
“obviously attach considerable.” T 236/1478 November 8, 1945.
126Still unaware that. T 236/1478 December 28, 1945.
127“over £2 billion. T 236/1478 September 20, 1945.
“I feel little.” FO 371/45814 November 3, 1945.
“It corresponds,” Playfair. T 236/1478 November 10, 1945.
128Weizmann’s “monstrous suggestions.” T 236/1478 November 8, 1945.
New submissions to. T 236/1478 September 25, 1945.
“has no logical.” T 236/1478 November 5, 1945.
Jack Coulson argued. T 236/1478 November 27, 1945.
Troutbeck’s replies to. T 236/1478 November 7, 1945.
Nothing was publicly. RG 59 State Department Paris Conf.
Final Report Box 2 p. 67.
Accordingly, a request. T 236/1478 October 30, 1945.
129“It would be.” T 236/1478 November 29, 1945.
“funds deposited … by.” T 236/1478 December 7, 1945.
Faced with isolation. T 236/1478 December 6, 1945.
130“blackmail from the.” T 236/1478 December 13, 1945.
raised “concern” about. FO 371/60479 February 16, 1946.
Vieli spoke eloquently. RG 56 U.S. Treasury, Swiss banks and Safehaven. Ostrow letter to White February 1, 1946. Lunch was held on January 23, 1946.
Gerald Selous, the. FO 192/198 February 12, 1946.
131For example, Bernard. E 2800 (-) 1967/61 Bd 88 (Banques Suisse) July 15, 1947.
The exemptions from. AJDC memorandum March 18, 1946.
CHAPTER 9: WASHINGTON SHOWDOWN
133“Should resist the Allies.” E 2001 (E) 1968/79 Bd 2 (DIV).
Stucki’s instructions, formulated. Admitted to British by Victor Umbricht, First Secretary in Swiss legation in 1951 FO 837/1304 September 5, 1951.
“We are not.” FO 192/198 April 18, 1946.
“no legal basis.” Castlemur, Schweizerisch-Alliierte Finanzbeziehungen, p. 41
133especially since the. Ibid., p. 43.
For that purpose. FO 192/198 April 18, 1946.
But that would. Castlemur, Schweizerisch-Alliierte Finanzbeziehungen, p. 41.
“The bankers don’t.” E 2001 (E) 1968/79 Bd 2 (DIV).
134But in the hours. Ibid.
“If you can.” E 7160 (A) 1 1968/54 November 12, 1946.
Having brilliantly resisted. FO 371 60479 February 16, 1946.
135“strongly pro-American and.” RG 59 1945–9 Box 4206.
“harbored sympathies for.” RG 260 OMGUS Property Control Box 653.
“It is our.” RG 59, 800.515, 4200; Castlemur, Schweizerisch-Alliierte Finanzbeziehungen, p. 27.
The only constraints. TB/Rubin.
136Swiss solidarity with. Droit International Public, pillages allemands, Côte Y–10–1, vol. 48, p. 2.
“and give him.” RG 59 800.515.4199; Castlemur, Schweizerisch-Alliierte Finanzbeziehungen, p. 29.
McCombe’s only interest. RG 260 OMGUS Property Control Box 653 Rubin to Randolph March 8, 1946.
137“shield the aggressor.” RG 260 OMGUS Property Control, Memorandum A, March 19, 1946, Washington Accord negotiations.
“We propose,” said. RG 59 1945–9 Box 4206.
“admiration and gratitude.” RG 260 OMGUS Property Control, Memorandum B, March 21, 1946, Washington Accord negotiations.
“greatly impressed with.” New York Times, March 22, 1946, p. 10.
138Switzerland’s “enormous losses.” FO 371/60479 April 5, 1946; RG 59 1945–9 Box 4206 March 26, 1946.
“Switzerland’s claims are.” E 7160 (A) 1 1968/54 Bericht über die Tätigkeit der Abteilung, 1946/47.
“I do not.” FO 371/60479 March 29, 1946.
139Dunkel had, however. FO 837/1173 September 10, 1948.
139The British estimate. FO 371/60479 February 1946, of which $32 million was identified as Belgian.
while the American. RG 59 1945–9 Box 4206 German Gold Movements February 5, 1946. American estimate included $18.5 million assigned to Sweden and $32.5 million to Romania.
On the most. Senator D’Amato in 1996 suggested that up to $398 million was looted.
140The 3,859 ingots. FO 837/1159 February 13, 1947.
By contrast, the. FO 371/45749 December 13, 1945.
First, all the. State Department Memorandum June 12, 1946.
Second, the Reichsbank’s. FO 837/1159 January 25, 1947.
Third, the French. FO 192/200 Pt 3 December 10, 1946.
Angered by that. FO 371/45749 December 4, 1945.
“a great mistake.” FO 371 45749 December 15, 1945; U.S. State Department 20.12.45 B1.
141Alfred Hirs knew. Castlemur, Schweizerisch-Alliierte Finanzbeziehungen, p. 40.
“We agree that.” FO 371 60479 February 1946.
“Those statistics are.” RG 59 1945–9 Box 4206 Gold Memorandum April 17, 1946.
142“stolen” Belgium’s gold. Rélations Bilatérales Suisse/France, Côte EU 29–8–3, vol. 18.
“the Swiss National.” RG 59 1945–9 Box 4206 Gold Memorandum March 15, 1946.
After Morgenthau’s February. RG 59 1945–9 Box 4206 Gold Mtg March 26, 1946.
143“Why do I.” E. Schneeberger, Wirtschaftskrieg auch in Frieden (Bern, 1984), p. 185.
Hirs also had. Vogler report, p. 16.
“gradually demobilize the.” Peter Hug and Marc Perrenound, Assets in Switzerland of Victims of Nazism and the Compensation Agreements with East Block Countries (Swiss Foreign Affairs Department, December 1996; English version, January 1997), p. xx.
143“He’s a well-known.” RG 59 1945–9 Box 4206 Swiss Observations on Gold Memorandum March 27 and April 13, 1946.
144“Puhl was a.” RG 59 1945–9 Box 4206 Swiss Observations on Gold Memorandum April 13, 1946.
145Crestfallen and humiliated. RG 59 1945–9 Box 4206 March 27, 1946.
146“The Swiss delegation.” Négotiations de 1945; Guerre Economique, Côte Z424–1, 2, 4, vol. 26, p. 129.
“We are isolated.” TB/Schaffner.
147His principal successor. E 2800 (-) 1990/106 Bd 16 (Handakten Petitpierre).
148“a decent and.” RG 59 1945–9 Box 4206 “Gold” Swiss memorandum April 13, 1946.
“It’s imperative to.” FO 371/60479 April 11, 1945.
“a part of.” FO 371/60479.
“Half a loaf.” FO 944/305 April 24, 1946.
149“a large portion.” Memorandum: German Foreign Assets p. 6, RG 59 1945–9 Bx 4206.
150“a complete rupture.” FO 371/60479 May 3, 1946.
were “kicking violently.” FO 371/60479 May 4, 1946.
151“bring out influential.” Allemagne, Régime des biens allemands, série P9713, vol. 113, pp. 306–8.
152“insists [that] rapid.” Allemagne, Régime des biens allemands, dec. 1945—mai 1946, série P9715 vol. 113, pp. 334–6.
Stucki, he believed. Allemagne, Régime des biens allemands, juin 1946-mai 1947, série P9716, vol. 114, p. 50.
153“We relied upon.” TB/Rubin.
“specifically excluded Jews.” U.S. Dept of Treasury, History of Foreign Funds Control (1946), pp. 165, 182.
an “informal agreement.” RG 59 1945–9 Box 4236 Rubin/Adams Memorandum of a conversation October 23, 1947.
154“I cannot,” he. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) March 20, 1950.
154“No distinction was.” Ibid.
155When all this. 50 million kroner from Sweden; 100 million escudos from Portugal and SF50 million from Switzerland. By 1953, only $17.5 million had been raised—$12.5 million from Sweden in full and $5 million from Switzerland. The non-monetary gold and jewelery found in the United States zones in Germany and Austria was valued at $3 million. (RG 59 State Department, Legal Advisor Records relating to postwar issues 1939–63 Non-monetary gold, Box 12.)
“It was always.” TB/Rubin.
156“A Swiss lie.” Négociations de 1945; Guerre Economique, Côte Z424–1, 2, 4, vol. 26, pp. 122–8.
“shunt off on to.” Ibid., pp. 109–32.
“completely taken in.” RG 260 OMGUS Property Control and External Assets 1945–50 Switzerland Box 654, Harrison to Sec. of State October 8, 1946.
CHAPTER 10: THE HIDDEN MILLIONS
157“We had to.” TB/Ginzberg.
158“This government feels.” Eli Ginzberg, “Report to the Secretary of State,” Ginzberg private papers, p. 69.
Britain’s “delaying tactics.” Ibid., p. 10.
“my good friend.” Ibid., p. 17.
159“I do everything.” Ibid., p. 19.
“most of the.” T 236/1478 May 1, 1946.
“The United States delegate.” T 236/1479 May 1946.
160Mackillop’s proposal, to. T 236/1478 May 29, 1946.
Unimpressed, Mackillop coldly. T 236/1478 June 5, 1946.
“The money should.” T 236/1478 June 17, 1946.
161Pérrier’s letter to. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374.
162“The present cowardice.” Négociations de 1945; Guerre Economique, Côte Z424–1, 2, 4, vol. 26, p. 153.
By 1949, Switzerland. Allemagne, Avoirs de l’état allemand á l’étranger, Côte 4–21–2, vol. 1022, pp. 174–7.
162“the atmosphere might.” T 236/1478 May 29, 1946.
Another Swiss reported. Jacques Picard, Switzerland and the Assets of the Missing Victims of the Nazis (Bank Baer, 1996).
163But in May. AJC letter, Gottschalk report, June 14, 1946.
Ginzberg’s recommendation was. Ginzberg, “Report,” pp. 79–81, June 19, 1946.
163“entirely unprecedented situation.” FO 371/60479 July 10, 1946.
thirteen-page proposal. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 May 6, 1946.
“It should not.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 July 29, 1946.
165“It is vital.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 August 3, 1946.
The idea of. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 August 26, 1946.
“the approximate number.” FO 837/1175a December 20, 1949.
166“He wants 5,000.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 November 11, 1946.
“the money belonged.” E 4001 (C) 1 Bd 309 (1800) November 25, 1946.
167The Allies’ interest. FO 371/60481 February 23, 1946; FO 192/199 January 31, 1947; FO 371/67915A April 11, 1947.
Swiss officials, accepting. Allemagne-Suisse, Côte EU 29–8–3, vol. 21, pp. 149–51.
“The Swiss government.” RG 319 Records of Army Staff, Ebrty 85A, Army Intelligence File, Box 2882 February 4, 1948.
Other privileged Germans. RG 59 1945–9 Box 4231 July 17, 1947.
In Davos, the. Allemagne, Question Juive, Côte EU 4–8–3, vol. 330, p. 42.
Rather, they spoke. Die Nation, July 23, 1947.
Among the many. RG 59 1945–9 Box 4255 800.515/5–1149
May 11, 1949, Robert Kempner, Nuremberg.
168The accumulation of. FO 371/60479 September 25, 1946.
“It’s contrary to.” E 7160 (A) b 1968/27 Bd 151 June 22, 1946.
“There’s resistance to.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 23 (Nr 1–91).
The lawyers mentioned were Dr. Carl Spahn, Ernst Lochmann, Dr. Kurt Brunner and Dr. Alphons Zuppinger.
169“It’s shameful,” said. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 23 February 11, 1947.
“I’m pleased with.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 1 September 13, 1946.
170“That’s impossible,” protested. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 1 September 24, 1946.
The subject would. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 1 October 2, 1946.
The reply to. FO 371/60479 September 25, 1946.
Britain was asked. T 236/1478 October 5, 1946.
171The British could. FO 192/199 December 3, 1946.
“throw the ball.” T 236/1478 October 31, 1946.
Selous, the commercial. FO 192/199 December 3, 1946.
Since the nonmonetary. T 236/1478 October 21, 1946.
This evasion concealed. T 236/1479 September 13, 1947.
Their fate in. Réparations-Restitutions, Côte Y–59–2, vol. 365, pp. 88, 285–9; vol. 366, p. 28.
“It would be.” RG 59 1945–9 Box 4228 800.515/4–2547; AJDC, Abba Schwartz May 1, 1947.
172The Swiss should. RG 59 1945–9 Box 4215A 800.515/10–946 October 9, 1946.
“fed up with.” E 2800 (-) 1967/61 Bd 88 (Société de Banques Suisse) November 26, 1946.
To the minister. RG 131 1942–60 Box 51 February 2, 1947 Ostrow to Washington.
173Letters addressed to. FO 192/201 pt 5 October 28, 1947.
Inside Switzerland—unlike. RG 260 OMGUS Property Control and External Assets 1945–50 Switzerland Box 654.
Schwab and his. FO 192/199 February 3, 1947.
“We know about.” RG 59 1945–9 Box 4218 December 23, 1946.
174“We’re not finding.” E 7160 (A) 1 1968/54 November 12, 1946 and October 28, 1947.
“the Germans should.” E 7160 (A) 1 1968/54 Bd 29 (Korrespondenz AK 1952–4) June 13, 1952.
Compensation Office’s valuation. FO 371/93941 August 10, 1951.
174“We cannot allow.” FO 837/1288.
175“Homberger’s prediction about.” E 7160 (A) 1 1968/54 November 12, 1946.
“I believe we.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 vol. 6 June 1, 1947.
176Stuclri was shocked. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 23 (Nr 1–91) September 5, 1947.
“This wasn’t done.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 September 9, 1947.
177The discrepancies exposed. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 23 Exposé Nr 79 October 24, 1947.
“The banks acted.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 vol. 5 October 28, 1947.
CHAPTER 11: PERFIDIOUS SWISS
179“The Committee is.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 23 March 11, 1947.
“a Galacian Jew.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 vol. 5 December 16, 1947.
180Posted during the. RG 56 U.S. Treasury, re Swiss banks and Safehaven, Mann memorandum for the files, February 25, 1947.
The contents could. AJDC, AR 45/64 1207 February 27, 1948.
181“We’ve reached the.” RG 59 1945–9 Box 4225 800.515/3–2847.
“in full recognition.” FO 192/200 Pt 3 April 16, 1947.
“We’ll be accused.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 23 May 25, 1947.
The Jewish refugees. Stucki was also aware that Sweden had not yet paid its promised 50 million kroner for refugees or returned its looted gold—prompting Desmond Morton’s condemnation in London of “the inherent dishonesty of the Swedes” (FO 837/1287 May 31, 1948).
182The Foreign Office’s. FO 837/1288 October 25, 1947.
“I have been.” FO 837/1288 October 20, 1947. The Allies proposed that the rate of exchange should be the same as between Nazi Germany and Switzerland during the war—SF173 to RM100. On October 8, Switzerland made a counteroffer of SF43 to RM100.
182“The Swiss,” he. FO 837/128 December 9, 1947.
“We could rely.” E7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 4 Protokoll AK June 24, 1947.
“suggestions for turning.” FO 837/1288 October 25, 1947, November 1 and 29, 1947. Meeting on October 14.
183“We regard the.” FO 837/128 November 29, 1947.
To help Germans. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 23 May 27, 1947.
“It seems to.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) March 20, 1950.
“It never crossed.” RG 59 1945–9 Box 4236 Rubin/Adams memorandum of a conversation October 23, 1947.
184had decreed that. Military Law 59.
The AJC’s efforts. AJC Hevesi to Frankel, September 17, 1948.
185“constitutes an act.” AJC Memorandum, Eugene Hevesi to Slawson, September 3, 1947. Réparations-Restitutions, Côte Y–59–2, vol. 367, pp. 119–25; vol. 366, p. 295. The Russians had given the heirless property to the East German state.
When the French. Allemagne, Réparations, Côte H–15, 13 State Department 2, vol. 1112, pp. 66–7
“a bad mistake.” FO 192/201 pt 5 August 28, 1947.
In Bern, Selous. FO 192/200 Pt 3 May 17, 1947; FO 192/206 June 9, 1948.
“It’s not our.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 May 25, 1947.
186“The provocation by.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 4 Protokoll AK June 24, 1947.
187“become an amusing.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 August 26, 1947, and see April 22, 1948; FO 192/201 pt 5 September 9, 1947.
“We can defeat.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 23 July 8, 1947.
“War criminals” no. Ibid.
188“it would not.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 January 22, 1947.
To avoid the. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 May 29, 1947.
189“We are sure.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 August 21, 1947.
“I confirm,” wrote. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 October 30, 1947.
190By then, the. Picard, Missing Victims, p. 7.
190To the bankers. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 December 23, 1947.
“Millions of Swiss.” E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd December 1, 1947.
Inspired by a. FO 192/201 pt 5 September 15, 1947.
191Jewish groups attacked. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 vol. 5 October 28, 1947.
“preferring to let.” FO 192/201 pt 5 September 27, 1947.
“The Americans, of.” FO 837/1288 October 24, 1947.
“weaken our bargaining.” Ibid.
There had been. RG 59 1945–9 Box 4236 Rubin/Adams memorandum of a conversation October 23, 1947.
192Rubin and his. RG 59 1945–9 Box 4238 800.515/11–2547 November 25, 1947.
“Regrettably, the Compensation.” E 7160 (A) 1 1968/54 Bericht über die Tätigkeit der Abteilung, 1946/47.
“were so convincing.” TB/King.
193“a little dangerous.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 23 (Nr 1–91).
a “disadvantageous manner.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 639.
Jann presented no. RG 56 U.S. Treasury, re Swiss banks and Safehaven, Mann memorandum for the files, June 3, 1947.
Ott’s lack of. RG 56 U.S. Treasury, re Swiss banks and Safehaven, Ostrow to Schwab October 1, 1947.
195Nothing more, the. E 2800 (-) 1967/61 Bd 91 (Affidavits, fausses certifications).
196“principles of morality.” RG 59 1945–9 Box 4238 King dispatch No. 15567 800.515/11–1947.
The “charade,” King. TB/King.
“as only an impotent.” RG 59 1945–9 Box 4242 King to Washington February 16, 1948 800.515/2–1948; King’s Confidential memorandum 800.515/4–1949 Box 4254.
While the French. RG 59 Swiss Negotiations 1943–54 Box 1 Legg to King February 23, 1948.
197“The Swiss are.” FO 837/1288 September 5, 1947.
the “American intention.” FO 192/206 April 21, 1948.
“ignorance and crass.” FO 837/1290 October 28, 1948.
197the “slow tempo.” FO 192/206 January 20, 1948.
“We mustn’t throw.” E7160 (A) i 1968/54 vol. 5 February 22, 1948.
In the meantime. FO 192/206 January 20, 1948.
“I’m not displeased.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 vol. 5 January 13, 1948.
Officially, the State. State Department instruction 3855 May 19, 1947.
198“may come with.” The Papers of General Clay (Indiana University Press, 1974), vol. 2, p. 568.
is “wasting time.” FO 837/1290 August 10, 1948.
199smacked of interference. Public Law 671; RG 59 1945–9 Box 4255 e.g. Congressman Cellar to Thorp May 18, 1949; Senator Howard McGarth to Acheson May 10, 1949. TB/Rubin.
Shortly afterward, Rubin. RG 59 1945–9 800.515/3–2448 Box 4243.
Stucki meanwhile returned. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 vol. 5 May 11, 1948.
Switzerland’s claims that. FO 192/198 “Swiss trade policy during the war, Zurich 1946.”
Clever accounting had. FO 371/93941 August 10, 1951.
the “untenable position.” FO 192/206 May 5, 1948.
200By then, Britain’s. FO 192/206 April 15, 1948.
“As monstrous a.” FO 192/206 June 18, 1948.
“fed up with.” FO 837/1174 February 2, 1949.
“It would not.” FO 837/1293 June 15, 1949.
201“I’ve no doubt.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 vol. 5 May 11, 1948.
“would create insurmountable.” RG 59 Negotiations with Switzerland 1948–57 Box 12 September 28, 1949; FO 192/206 letter February 19, 1948 23rd Mtg, item 2.
“We know that.” FO 192/206 letter February 19, 1948 23rd Mtg, item 2.
“did not want.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 24 Exposé Nr 94.
202“The Swiss government.” RG 59 State Department 1945–9 800.515/6–1349 Bx 4256 June 13, 1949.
202In private, Ott. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 vol. 5 April 22, 1948.
“when the Allies’.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 vol. 6 November 23, 1948.
Members of the. RG 59 Economic Affairs Branch, Negotiations with Switzerland Acheson 1943–57 Box 11 5/11/50. The case of Günther von Haniel.
“I strongly warn.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 vol. 5 January 13, 1948.
Exceptions were naturally tolerated for the Swiss. Dr. Theodor Eisenring, a rich and influential politician regarded as a feudal lord, effortlessly overcame the rules against trading in German assets by ignoring letters, applications by the Compensation Office to the court and even judgments by the courts (E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 28 (Korrespondenz) November 22, 1949).
203“We thought that.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 vol. 5 June 1, 1948. “in view of.” FO 192/211.
With special permission. TB/Bach.
204“The Swiss government.” AJD letter July 7, 1948 Weiss to Eli Rock.
Both the British. AJDC Rubin Memorandum May 10, 1949.
“I leave it.” Réparations-Restitutions, Côte Y–59–2, vol. 362, p. 51.
205To seize more. Bundesblatt 1949, I, S. 769ff April 13, 1949. The Swiss proposal was to stipulate that the qualifying date of residence in Germany should be extended to June 1946, when the Washington Accord had been signed—rather than February 1945, when the freeze had been decreed.
“The negotiations are.” AJC memorandum June 6, 1949, and see Rubin memorandum to Hevesi May 11, 1949.
CHAPTER 12: THE POLISH CONSPIRACY
207He still trusted. TB/Isenbergh.
“The amount of.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 January 21, 1948.
208Other European countries. AJC letter to von Steiger August 3, 1949; AJC letter September 21, 1949.
209Switzerland, he warned. AJC report July 11, 1949 Jacobson to Schwartz.
210“This is a serious.” AJC Rubin to Eugene July 22, 1949.
On the other. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (Polnische Ansprüche).
212“At the appropriate.” E 7110/1967/32/Polen 890.0/1294 See Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 86.
The origin of. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 775 (Polen) April 25, 1949.
Speich told Troendle. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (11) March 18, 1950.
213“as soon as.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (Polnische Ansprüche) June 15, 1949.
Knowing of the. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (11) September 15, 1949.
Alexander had also. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (Polnische Ansprüche) June 14, 1949.
214“Your spontaneous solution.” Ibid.
“Swiss nationals will.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374(11) August 3, 1949.
“confidential exchange of.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (11) August 4, 1949.
215“It is incompatible.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (11) August 26, 1949.
“I am sure.” E 4001 (C) 1 Bd 309 (1800) August 5, 1949.
“this American Jewish.” E 4001 (C) 1 Bd 309 (1800) August 19, 1949.
“The agreement contradicts.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374(11) September 1, 1949.
“no great importance.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (11) September 9, 1949.
216Parliament was unaware. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 775 (Polen) September 22, 1949.
“The agreement with.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (11) September 15, 1949.
216The secret clause. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 775 (Polen) October 7, 1049.
the “tragic travesty.” AJC Rubin to Fisher October 7, 1949.
The American plan. RG 59 1945–9 Box 4256 800.515/6–949.
“attitude on this.” AJC Rubin to Hevesi October 17, 1949.
217“was like comparing.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 vol. 7 April 12 and June 17, 1949.
Pompously, he refused. IRO September 30, 1949 Hacking to Jimmy. By May 1949, $18.5 million had been paid over to IRO out of the $25 million promised.
Giving any further. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 vol. 7 January 24, 1950.
The property of. AJC memorandum Hermann Simon September 28, 1949.
218By then, Petitpierre’s. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (11) September 15, 1949.
219“Publicity will be.” AJC Central Zionist Archives S43–243.
Isenbergh, he predicted. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (11) October 17, 1949.
220“on the same.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (11) November 4, 1949 and December 1949.
After speaking to. E 2800 (-) 1967/61 Bd 88 (Nationalbank) June 30, 1949.
221“make the Swiss.” AJDC Rubin to Hevesi December 6, 1949.
Objections from Bern. New York Times December 7, 1949.
Picard, Missing Victims, p. 7.
222was “excessively feeble.” FO 837 1174 February 2, 1949.
“The situation is.” AJC letter James Rice to Max Isenbergh December 9, 1949.
223“The British,” wrote. AJDC Jacobson memorandum December 14, 1949.
Convinced that his. AJC letter James Rice to Max Isenbergh December 9, 1949.
During the war. Safehaven Report No. 4 April 9, 1945.
224Like all the. AJC Isenbergh report December 19, 1949.
224The British were. AJDC letter Rice to Jacobson December 14, 1949.
“I’ll try my.” TB/Isenbergh.
“not without a.” Allemande-Suisse, Avoirs de l’état, Côte 4–21–2, vol. 1022, pp. 62–6.
“If the agreement.” FO 837/1175A December 29, 1949; RG 59 1945–9 Box 4259 800.515/12–2149 December 23, 1949.
225In the margin. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (11) December 20, 1949.
“bending the rules.” E 1301 1/394 pp. 703/4; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 89.
“error, a blunder.” E 2001 (E) 1970/217 Bd 209 (Herrenlose Vermoegenswerte) February 13, 1957.
the “unfriendly attitude.” AJDC AR 45/64 1207 December 27, 1949.
226“That point about.” AJDC Rubin memorandum January 9, 1950.
If, contrary to. FO 837/1175A January 4, 1950.
227In a press. Federal Political Dept, press release, February 1, 1950.
Suspecting that the. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) March 14, 1950.
228The lawyer’s dignity. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) January 10, 1950.
“In previous years.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374(111) April 25, 1950.
No one in. AJDC AR 45/64 #1207 Translation of Federal Council statement March 22, 1950.
229To inquiries from. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) February 28, 1950.
230Both sides understood. Hug and Perrenound, Assets, pp. 76–8.
“A whitewash,” commented. AJDC AR 45/64 #1207 Robinson to Rock April 11, 1950.
But Acheson’s passing. RG 59 Economics Affairs Branch, Negotiations with Switzerland 1943–57, Swiss Accord Box 3 Acheson to Vincent June 10, 1950.
230“guilty of grave.” Ibid.
“more than content.” FO 837/1175A February 28, 1950.
“no such assets.” FO 837/1175A March 12, 1950.
“to keep him.” FO 837/1175A March 6, 1950.
CHAPTER 13: NEW HOPE
231Dean Acheson promptly. RG 59 Box 1013 254.0041/6–1550 June 15, 1950.
For the Foreign. FO 837/1175A June 25, 1950.
Given British policies. FO 371/93941 August 2, 1951.
That desire for. State Department to British embassy November 13, 1950.
“fan the flames.” FO 837/1175A May 12, 1950.
232“rather barren argument.” FO 837/1175A May 17, 1950.
“formerly called Hirsch.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (11) December 30, 1949.
Appreciating that Switzerland’s. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) April 26, 1950.
233This Israeli was. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) April 27, 1950; E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) July 4, 1950.
Since this scheme. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) July 18 and October 24, 1950.
234an “embarrassing” position. FO 837/1298 February 24, 1951.
After negotiating the. FO 837/1304 September 5, 1951.
“It has for.” FO 837/1303 July 1951.
Stucki acknowledged the. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 28 (Korrespondenz AK) December 1, 1949.
Given renewed swagger. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 124 June 20, 1950.
Retreating, Stucki resorted. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 124 March 8, 1951.
235The Germans, he. AJC letter to McCloy July 31, 1951.
“Now that they.” Bower, Blind Eye to Murder, p. 424.
235Included in Bonn’s. RG 59 1950–54 Box 1013 Vincent to Washington May 2, 1950.
“It’s a question.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) March 20, 1950.
Stucki’s withdrawal from. Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 45.
Bill 603, introduced. HR 1849 and HR 2780, two similar bills.
236To conceal the. E 2001 (E) 1970/217 Bd 29 (Anfragen Privater, Herrenlose Vermoegenswerte) May 15, 1950.
“The Allies never.” E 7160 (A) i 1958/54 Bd 28 (Korrespondenz AK) June 20, 1950.
237“During the whole.” E 2001 (E) 1970/217 Bd 209 April 6, 1954.
“Please write to.” E 2001 (E) 1970/217 Bd 209.
The “problems,” condemned. RG 59 1950–4 Box 1013 254.0041/7–1150.
238But suddenly the. RG 59 1950–4 Box 1016 254.1141/3–2151.
“do nothing to.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) November 6, 1950.
The bank’s objection. E 4264 1985/57 Bd 250 (Dossier Reginek) M 15532. Eventually the Polish government validated the documents.
Too often, the. E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 3 (d).
239Since their own. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) March 16, 1951.
“We agree,” Zehnder. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) August 2, 1951.
“Don’t expect any.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) August 13/14, 1951.
240“Glaringly exposes the.” Ibid.
“Israel needs foreign.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) September 17, 1951.
241“You advised me.” E 4110 (A) 1973/84 Bd 4 October 6, 1952.
242Shaken by Oetterli’s. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) December 1, 1951.
Switzerland, they knew. E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) December 7, 1951.
242An official census. Bulletin No. 28, October 1951.
“special legislation introduced.” AJC report November 10, 1952.
243eighteen-page letter. E 2800 (-) 1967/61 Bd 91 (Affidavits, fausses certifications).
By then, the. E 2800 (-) 1967/61 Bd 88 (Banques Suisse) April 7, 1948.
244“important external considerations.” E 2800 (-) 1967/61 Bd 91 (Affidavits, fausses certifications).
245Mendelssohn-Bartholdy was. E 2001 (E) 1968/79 Bd 2.
Had Frölicher realized. E 2001 (E) 1968/79 Bd 2 (Finanzielles, Depots von Privatpersonen).
246Protected by British. See Bower, Blind Eye to Murder, p. 1 and passim; and see also FO 1046/274 and FO 1046/210 for Abs’s interrogations by the British where he lied about his wartime activities.
“The Swiss,” commented. FO 371/99856 June 6, 1952; FO 371/99853 March 10, 1952.
Although his continuing. By May 1949, $17.5 million had been paid over to IRO out of the $25 million promised: $12.5 million, Sweden’s full payment, $5 million from Switzerland and nothing from Portugal, which refused to abide by the Washington Accord.
“do something about.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 November 11, 1951; “grotesque’: E 7160 (A)i 1968/54 vol. 9 March 13, 1951. “Switzerland stood up.” FO 371/99854 February 26, 1952, Der Bund article. Among the many excuses given by Bonn to derail the debts conference, the Germans claimed that if they compensated the 3,300 Germans who had lost assets in Switzerland, they would also be obliged to compensate the nine million dispossessed German refugees from Eastern Europe.
247“On grounds of.” RG 59 State Department, The Legal Advisor—Records Relating to Postwar Settlement Issues 1939–63, Gold Netherlands Box 12.
Corroboration was provided. Ibid.
247“Switzerland has already.” RG 59 Records re Negotiations with Switzerland 1943–57 Box 2 August 17, 1948 C87.
Observing the State. FO 837/1159 January 25, 1947.
248Yet, despite all. State Department Swiss Accord February 23, 1951; FO 837/1287 August 16, 1948.
“It’s time for.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 vol. 9 March 13, 1951.
“They say the.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 28 (Korrespondenz AK) August 1951.
Instead they were. E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 Bd 29 (Korrespondenz AK 1952–4) June 13, 1952.
“on behalf of.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 November 11, 1951.
grateful to receive. FO 371/99848 December 29, 1951.
249“It was a.” E 7160 (A) i 1968/54 October 7, 1952.
“whose epithet as.” Allemagne, Côte 4–21–2, vol. 1027, pp. 12–14. Under the agreement, Germany undertook to pay SF121.5 million to Switzerland and SF121.5 million to the Allies to cover the Allies’ claims under the Washington Accord. No German assets in Switzerland were sold. In total, Switzerland recovered SF650 million of its loans to Germany, including the SF121.5 million.
“we opposed them.” E 7160 (A) i 1958/54 Bd 95 October 9, 1953; E 7160 (A) i 1958/54 vol. 5.
250On April 7. FO 371/105797.
“have done very.” FO 371/105776.
“As usual the.” AJC April 3, 1953.
251“I am astonished.” E2001 (E) 1969/121 Bd 155 (Herrenlosen Vermoegen) January 24, 1952.
After conversations with. AJC memorandum October 2, 1952.
252With little difficulty. RG 59 Negotiations with Switzerland 1943–57 Box 3.
“a most difficult.” RG 59 1950–4 Box 1013 254.0041/12–1250 January 11, 1951.
Rubin’s only success. AJDC letter Rubin to Blaustein July 7, 1950.
Germany’s bid during. FO 371/99852 February 10, 1952.
252“Unfortunately,” commented a. Allemagne, Question juive, Côte Z–16–4, vol. 329, pp. 170–4.
Reports from the. Ibid., pp. 153–7.
253“willingness of the.” RG 59 1950–1 Economic Affairs Branch Box 1046 April 4, 1951.
“The American delegation.” RG 59 254.0041/4–03 51 April 10, 1951.
“The Americans, British.” E 2001 (E) 1967/113 Bd 374 (111) October 31, 1950.
had “revealed no.” State Department Swiss Accord file May 21, 1951.
254“there exist in.” Allemagne, Côte 4–21–2, vol. 1025, p. 137.
“There are no.” Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 12; RG 59 1950–4 Box 1017 254.6241/5–2451 June 13, 1951.
“declared that there.” E 2801 1968/84 Bd 94 May 5, 1952. Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 52.
In a final. AJC, August 2, 1951.
CHAPTER 14: “KEEPERS OF THE FLAME”
255In April 1953. E 2001 (E) 1970/217 Bd 209 April 23, 1953; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 37.
256“This case,” Bindschedler. E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 4 April 29, 1953.
“The Israelis’ imagination.” E 2001 (E) 1969/121 Bd 155 (Herrenlose Vermoegen) March 28, 1952.
“Our prospect of.” AJDC letter Jacobson to Leavitt May 19, 1953.
“What is the.” AJC memorandum October 2, 1952.
257Alexander sensed that. E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 1 (Erbenlose. Vermoegen in der Schweiz) January 22, 1952.
Noncooperation was the. E 2001 (E) 1969/121 Bd 155 (Herrenlose Vermoegen) June 3 and July 23, 1952.
“There must be.” E 2801 1968/84 Bd 93 September 9/10, 1952; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 52.
257After all, the. Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 45.
Without moral qualms. Allemagne, Questions financiers, Côte EU 4–15–7, vol. 1006, p. 33.
258“Most Germans,” he. Allemagne, Commission Tripartite des Dettes, vol. 1017, p. 223.
“Undoubtedly this will.” E 2001 (E) 1970/217 Bd 209 April 23, 1953; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 37.
259In the code. E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 1 (Erblose Vermoegen) “isolationist and lacked.” E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 1 (Erblose Vermoegen) August 31, 1953.
260“whether it is.” E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 1 (JPD, Erbenlose Vermoegen) February 12, 1954.
“some preliminary work.” AJC Hevesi to Rubin March 1, 1954.
“An official of.” SIG Archives, Zurich, Erblose Vermoegen.
261“If, despite our.” E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 1 (JPD Erbenlose Vermoegen) March 8, 1954.
“Predictable if the.” E 2001 (E) 1969/221 Bd 155 (Herrenlose Vermoegen) July 14, 1954.
262Max Troendle, the. E 2001 (E) 1969/221 Bd 155 (Herrenlose Vermoegen) September 28, 1954.
“Perhaps the banks.” E 2001 (E) 1970/217 Bd 209 (Herrenlose Vermoegen) March 28, 1955.
“after the expiry.” E 2801 1968/84 Bd 98 (W.45) July 7, 1955. Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 39.
263“We must solve.” E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 4 March 28, 1955.
264“Each delay.” Feldmann. E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 1 March 31, 1955.
265Jews were never. E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 1 June 11, 1955.
“the agreement with.” E 2001 (E) 1970/217 Bd 209 (Herrenlose Vermoegenswerte) May 3, 1955.
“We’ve told [the.” E 2001 (E) 1970/217 Bd 209 (Herrenlose Vermoegenswerte) September 15, 1955.
But, since Feldmann. E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 1 September 12, 1955
What was more. E4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 1 November 12, 1955.
265The bankers departed. E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 1 June 4 and September 24, 1956.
266“confirm in writing.” E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 1 September 26, 1956.
The bank’s dishonesty. E 2001 (E) 1970/217 Bd 209 (Herrenlose Vermoegenswerte) June 6, 1956.
Either there was. E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 2 (XII) April 15, 1957.
“It would look.” E 6100 (B) 1973/141 Bd 182 (987.2) May 13, 1957; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 51.
“has simply capitulated.” E 2801 1968/84 Bd 98 (W.45) May 23, 1957; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 52.
“hoped that there.” E 2001 (E) 1972/33 Bd 280 August 9, 1957; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 52.
267The Bankers Association’s. E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 2 (XIII) January 14, 1958.
“Delay telling anything.” E 2001 (E) 1970/217 Bd 209 (Herrenlose Vermoegenswerte) November 18 and December 6, 1957.
“Switzerland has always.” E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 2 (XIII) January 14, 1958.
“We will not.” E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 2 (XIII) December 3, 1957; E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 2 (XIV) October 30, 1958.
268“The Swiss Confederation.” AJC Jewish Agency for Israel December 16, 1958.
“A specialist banker.” E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 2 March 26, 1959.
270Four years earlier. E4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 2 February 17, 1959; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 56.
It was their fear. Picard, Die Schweiz, p. 150.
271“This all shines.” E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 2 (XV) May 22, 1959.
273To threaten that. April 11, 1959 and March 1959 47th annual report of Bankers Association.
“The Bankers Association’s.” AJDC Rubin report November 16, 1959.
“We cannot renege.” E 2001 (E) 1976/17 Bd 97 November 13, 1959; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 58.
273Reminding the Swiss. 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 4 June 1 and July 6, 1960.
274“Besides the fact.” E 2801 1968/84 Bd 98 May 27, 1957; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 52.
Days later, Petitpierre’s. Jewish Agency for Israel, Bern, July 6, 1960, Federal Policy Bureau to U.S. Embassy Bern; 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 4 June 1 and July 6, 1960.
“It would be.” E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 2 (XV) October 5, 1960.
275“The matter must.” E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 2 (XV) February 12, 1961.
To help the. Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 59.
“Israeli exaggerations,” the. E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 2 (XIX) August 7, 1961.
“My organization always.” E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 2 (XIX) July 7, 1961.
And they loved. E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 2 (XX) August 30, 1961.
276If the amount. E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 2 (XIX) September 1961.
“Just on the.” E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 2 (XIX) October 10, 1961.
“From my own.” E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 3 (d) November 21, 1962.
But there was. E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 2 (XIX) August 30, 1961.
277Oetterli had successfully. E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 3 (d). The law became effective on August 29, 1963.
CHAPTER 15: COMPLICATING THE RIDDLE
279“explicitly charged to.” Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 71.
280“tens of thousands.” E4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 4 (Vollziehungsverordnung) May 7, 1963.
Panicky Jews evoked. Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 64.
“Do not waste.” E 2001 (E) 1978/84 Bd 144 March 19, 1964; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 65.
Unwilling to succumb. E 2001 (E) 1978/84 Bd 144 April 17, 1964; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 65.
from “false premises.” E 2001 (E) 1976/17 vol 97. (B.42.13); Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 62.
281Switzerland’s image was. E 2001 (E) 1978/84 Bd 144 April 22, 1964; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 65.
“That’s all we.” E 2001 (E) 1978/84 Bd 144 July 30, 1964; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 66.
The lawyer of. E 4111 (A) 1980/13 Bd 159; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 68.
282SBC, which had. Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 68–9.
Unless Weber pursued. E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 2.
While Switzerland’s Jewish. AJDC letter Lack to Leavitt March 13, 1964.
283No lists of. Hug and Perrenound, Assets, pp. 60, 73.
In 1966, Weber. AJDC Jewish Agency for Israel memorandum February 1, 1966; Weber letter November 18, 1964.
Weber’s office offered. E 4110 (A) 1973/85 Bd 4 October 16, 1962.
284The Union Bank. E 4111 (A) 1980/13 Bd 28 (A5028) June 29, 1964; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, pp. 44, 70.
285Always inclined to. Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 42
286The money was. E 2001 (E) 1978/84 Bd 144 (B.42.13/4); Hug and Perrenound, Assets, pp. 66–8.
287But Weber didn’t. E 4111 (A) 1980/13 vol. 159; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 68.
At least a hundred. Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 111–2.7
288Häberlin passed their. Ibid., p. 78.
But SF4.8 million. E 4111 (A) 1980/13 Bd 157; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 74.
There would be. Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 76.
Having negotiated. E 4001 (E) 1988/20 Bd 372 (64) March 8, 1972; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 76.
289“great relief and.” E 4001 (E) 1988/20 Bd 373 (64) August 11, 1972; Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 77.
Each file revealed. Hug and Perrenound, Assets, p. 80.
That money was. Ibid.
In May 1949. Ibid., p. 86.
291That money, Weber. Ibid., p. 112.
292The object, explained. Ibid., p. 114
Its first report. Ibid., p. 117.
“This is thin.” Ibid.
CHAPTER 16: THE DEAL
309Headlines reporting that. Financial Times, September 20, 1996.
310“could still be.” Financial Times, September 12, 1946.
“This is the greatest.” Financial Times, September 18, 1946.