“I couldn’t agree more, Dr. Ho. I’m sorry I don’t have good news.”
He couldn’t allow the American to leave yet. “May I ask, Mr. Wiley, who’s the prominent Austrian figure your consulate is protecting?”
“Dr. Freud. I’m sure you’ve heard of him.”
“Why is he being harassed?”
“The reason many people are living in fear.”
Fengshan hadn’t known Dr. Freud was also a Jew. He sighed and recounted the story of Mr. Rosenburg, a prominent lawyer being forced to leave the country. “Mr. Wiley, forgive me, I hate to take more of your time, but the situation in Vienna is most disconcerting. As you’re aware, Anschluss has caught many of us by surprise, and some of the uncivil incidents are most disheartening and cause much grief for many Viennese. What are your thoughts regarding the future of the Viennese Jews in Greater Germany?”
Mr. Wiley sighed. “I won’t mince my words. I am quite alarmed. I have received multiple petitions regarding the treatment of Jews born and raised here. Some petitions come from Quakers, who have expressed similar concerns like yours. I assure you that I’ve made my country aware of the situation, and President Roosevelt has decided to take action.”
“This is most heartwarming to hear. Would you care to elaborate?”
“The news will soon be made public, Dr. Ho, but I am pleased to inform you now that our president has made an urgent call summoning thirty-two nations of the world to convene in ?vian-les-Bains, France, to discuss options to assist the Jewish people in Greater Germany who need humanitarian assistance.”
Thirty-two countries. If this were not an ultimate demonstration of a country in power, he didn’t know what was. Ambassador Chen was still unable to meet the key members of the League after a month’s request, but the president of the United States made a phone call, and the representatives from thirty-two countries cleared their schedules for a meeting. Fengshan dared to dream that one day China would follow America’s footsteps and prosper and wield great power and influence in the world.
His feelings aside, it was apparent to him that the United States, once a nascent power on the world stage, now played an increasingly important role. If the president of the United States called for action, there was good reason to believe some positive outcome would be reached.
“Mr. Wiley, may I venture to ask if there will be sanctions on the German government?”
“It wouldn’t be unexpected, given the atrocities we have heard of.”
“Perhaps there’s an agenda of a new immigration law, provided that the Viennese Jews are willing to leave the country?”
“With thirty-two countries attending the conference, I would daresay some of them, if not all, will welcome the talented, wealthy, intellectual immigrants to their country.”
Fengshan concurred. What countries wouldn’t open their arms to educated people with skills and wealth? Had China not been embroiled in war, it would be glad to accept these Viennese as well. Mr. Rosenburg would be relieved to hear this news. He would have several countries, not just the US, to immigrate to, if he decided to do so. Or he might be able to stay in Vienna and regain his properties and savings.
“I can assure you, Dr. Ho, the United States is the guardian of humanity, the advocate of world peace and freedom. Who will we be if we fail to protect the vulnerable? With Congress’s approval, we will see to it that democracy, freedom, and equality will be achieved for everyone.”
It was typical grandiose American discourse, yet it sounded comforting and strangely uplifting, and Fengshan dreamed of the day when he would make a similar claim on behalf of his country and instill his countrymen with the same aspirations. “When is the meeting?”
“July sixth.” Mr. Wiley stood.
In about six weeks. “It’s a long wait for those harassed.”
The American patted his shoulder. “Dr. Ho, it is admirable that you have such compassion, but I’m sure you understand that it is recommended to diplomats that we maintain a certain distance among the political upheaval.”
Fengshan laughed. “I beg your pardon, Mr. Wiley, but didn’t you mention Dr. Freud was under your consulate’s protection?”
Mr. Wiley chuckled and left.
They were diplomats, bound by their duty to their countries and by their ambition for their careers, not necessarily to each other. But Mr. Wiley had left him with important hints and intelligence to reflect on.
“How did the meeting go, Fengshan? Was it successful?” The ambassador’s voice came through at the first ring.
Fengshan dove into his report, expressing the regrets of Mr. Wiley. As he had imagined, Ambassador Chen sounded deeply disappointed that the prospects of meeting his American counterpart were dim and the desperately needed loan remained unobtainable.
Fengshan cleared his throat. “With much respect, Ambassador Chen, before you go, may I share with you an observation?” When he’d conversed with Mr. Wiley, something else, another perspective about America and the League of Nations, had sparked in his mind. “Ambassador Chen, what are your thoughts on the League? How often do the council members meet?”
“It’s irregular and slow-paced, with prolific correspondence and predictable bureaucracy, as we all know. What are you trying to say, Fengshan?”
He ventured, “Mr. Wiley seems to have an uncomplimentary opinion of the League. I can’t help but observe that on short notice, the president of the United States succeeded in gathering thirty-two nations for a conference, but the League hasn’t had a functional meeting of council members for a long period of time. I wonder if a new direction in seeking the loan is warranted.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“Would you agree that it’s more favorable to obtain a loan when we speak directly to the US via diplomatic channels rather than relying on the League? What would be your thoughts if we contact Mr. Henry Morgenthau, the secretary of the treasury in the United States?”
“This certainly is not something within my consideration, and it is unfortunate that the new ambassador to the US, Mr. Hu Shi, hasn’t presented his credentials yet.”
“Perhaps the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be involved and offer their valuable help.”
There was a noncommittal cough.
Fengshan persisted. “Allow me to share another thought with you, Ambassador Chen. It seems that Mr. Wiley believes his president has great concerns about the suffering of the Jews under German rule. The US has called for a conference of thirty-two countries to look into the treatment of the Viennese Jews. Mr. Wiley predicted that they would spearhead a refugee policy around the world. I wonder if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken similar steps on the same subject.”
“Why would the Ministry take an interest in accepting refugees?”
Fengshan cringed.
“Our country is under attack. We’re struggling to survive. We need a loan, and we need sophisticated weapons to defeat the Japanese. The last thing we want is an influx of foreign refugees to feed. Let the Americans devise their strategies, and you remember my instruction. We must not interfere with the domestic controversies in Greater Germany, or the Third Reich will find an excuse to decline the weapons sales, and our relationship will be doomed. Is that clear?”