“An island country.”
“The couple said Mr. Wiley approached them a few months ago. He offered a large sum to the ambassador of the Dominican Republic in exchange for a path for Jews to immigrate to their country. The Dominican Republic happened to need help for their agriculture, so a deal was made. Did Mr. Wiley tell you when you met him?”
“He had no reason to, but if it’s true, it’s extraordinary. I didn’t know the American government would provide a large sum for the refugees.”
“Oh, it wasn’t the government. It was from the Quakers; do you know Quakers? And some Jewish organizations in the US.”
“I’ve heard some church friends talk about Quakers. What was the sum Mr. Wiley offered?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask.”
“How many refugees will the Dominican Republic accept?”
“I heard ten thousand.”
“That’s ten thousand lives!”
“I think so. But I can be wrong. My love?”
He shot up to his feet. “Well done, Grace, well done indeed! Let’s go back to the consulate. Quick. We need to go. I have an important rescue plan that I need to write.”
CHAPTER 26
FENGSHAN
China had many islands, too, small, like those in the Caribbean, and China had many vast lands, underdeveloped in the southwest. With some strategic planning, those islands or the uncultivated lands could be home to the desperate Viennese.
It might have been inconceivable before, but this was an opportunity for China to rise on the world stage by solving the Jewish situation. What a windfall it would be if China could receive international acclaim and financial support like the Dominican Republic!
Preoccupied, he didn’t talk to Grace or answer her questions and went straight to his office, passing the visa applicants in the lobby. He had to hold on to his thoughts, fearing the brilliant plan would escape if he spoke. Once at his desk, he spread out sheets of paper and grabbed his fountain pen. A rescue plan, a perfect plan, throbbed in his head. Feverish, he drafted his proposal.
On his report day, Fengshan first asked about the defense that Wuhan had been putting up for the past two months. Ambassador Chen didn’t seem to be anxious about the Japanese attack on Wuhan, which boded well. If the Nationalist army succeeded in defending Wuhan, there would be hope for them to recoup, gather strength and train the army with the funds they would receive from the Americans.
Then Fengshan articulated his rescue plan to his superior as calmly as he could. “If China implements a broad, lenient policy regarding the Jews and accepts them, it will elevate the country’s reputation and win the admiration of countries such as Britain and France and many others in the world. China will also gain many allies and support of willing lenders among the powerful organizations in the United States.”
Fengshan heard a loud groan from Ambassador Chen, but he had prepared, and he pleaded for the ambassador’s patience. “Many Jews are talented, and they will be grateful for the rescue. Some of them are powerful bankers as you might have heard.” He couldn’t verify this yet, but he knew this would be very persuasive to Ambassador Chen.
“You’ve made a good case, Fengshan, but I’ve reminded you repeatedly that we’re at war with the Japanese. Cities have been lost, looted, and burned. You’re talking about sending Jews to fire. Is a good death in China better than a bad living in Germany?”
“Ambassador Chen, if you can bear with me. We have many islands—Taiwan, Hainan Island, and a few small islands in the Pacific Ocean, all remote, unoccupied by the Japanese, and sparsely populated. They could be a safe sanctuary.”
“The plan sounds far-fetched. It’s not feasible.”
“May I be so bold as to say this: if the islands sound unfeasible, perhaps a designated land in the southwest is another consideration. Those acreages are mostly farmland, unpopulated, but once people immigrate there, with their intelligence and resources, they’ll become valuable human resources to help our country prosper.”
Ambassador Chen made a noise, but he didn’t sound testy.
“With all due respect, Ambassador Chen, this is a bold plan. I have drawn up the proposal for your perusal, and perhaps you’ll discuss this with Mr. Sun Ke. Have we heard any good news from Ambassador Hu?”
“The twenty-five million dollars are in process, Fengshan. The Americans’ word was good.” There was a sigh. “How many refugees are you proposing?”
“Ten thousand.”
“Ten thousand!”
“A small island such as the Dominican Republic can accept this number. Why not us?”
Silence again.
“It’s worth considering, Ambassador Chen.”
“Mail me the proposal, Fengshan, and I shall bring this to Mr. Sun Ke’s attention.”
Fengshan put down the phone, exhilarated. He had pleaded for ten thousand lives! He picked up the proposal he’d written, scrutinizing every sentence for ambiguity or potential misinterpretations. When Frau Maxa came to work, he would ask her to put aside anything she had in hand and rush to the post office.
“Grace! Grace! You have to hear this!” He burst into their bedroom. She had inspired him; this was her success as well.
Grace, in her long purple nightgown, was standing at the window, pulling aside the curtains, as a waterfall of golden sunlight poured through.
CHAPTER 27
GRACE
A few weeks after Fengshan’s proposal, another phone call from the ambassador came. Fengshan, exuberant, beckoned me over. They were speaking Chinese, so I paid attention to every twinkle in Fengshan’s eyes. When he hung up, he held me and twirled in his office, an almost scandalous move for someone like him.
The ambassador had good news, he said. The Roosevelt administration had finalized the credit for twenty-five million dollars to the Nationalists, which had lifted the morale of many officers and soldiers. Mr. Sun Ke, after a lengthy phone conversation with Ambassador Chen, had expressed interest in the rescue plan of the ten thousand Jews he had proposed. The Ministry would discuss the proposal with the committee in the coming weeks.
“Ten thousand lives, Grace!” Fengshan said.
“What type of visas will they receive?”
“Immigration visas. An exclusive island in China would be designated for their home. Ambassador Chen mentioned Hainan Island. Separately, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has agreed to a lenient visa policy regarding the Jews.”
He had done it—extending a hand to ten thousand lives and successfully establishing a lenient policy for the Viennese Jews. Many people, like Lola, could go to China if they wanted to.
October came.
The day for Lola’s interview at the Central Office for Jewish Emigration arrived. I asked for Fengshan’s permission to use the consulate’s car to pick up Lola and her family.
When we arrived at the Office, it began to rain, but the entire street in front of the building was crowded with men holding briefcases and bags. Lola, Mrs. Schnitzler, Sara, and Eva joined the queue in the back. Without an umbrella, Lola tucked the documents under her jacket to keep them dry.
I went back to the consulate to fetch two umbrellas and returned to the palatial building. Mrs. Schnitzler, Sara, and Eva kept one, and Lola stayed with me.