The Delegates Speak

Abstract

While the Evian Conference was dominated by the Big Three, it was always intended that it would be a meeting in which the widest range of views would be canvassed. This chapter examines the statements of the remaining delegates making presentations. It divides them into three groups; the Europeans, the Latin Americans, and the British Dominions, showing that a remarkable conformity ran through all the presentations. While the statements for the most part projected a tolerant and welcoming attitude when and if it suited their countries’ interests, when it came to actually demonstrating how far their commitment would extend they all found reasons not to proceed with any firm proposals for opening their doors to refugees. The chapter thus also exposes a number of myths that have since come to characterize popular understandings of the conference.

All the States attending are full of sympathy for the victims of persecution none of them is able or willing to open its doors to a flood of refugees. Delegate after delegate explained his difficulties and made his excuses.

New Statesman (London ) ( New Statesman (London ), quoted in NAA, A981, Alfred Stirling (London ) to W.R. Hodgson (Australian Department of External Affairs, Canberra), July 17, 1938.)