March 15, 1941: Somewhat Troubled

Letter from Opa to Mrs. Hanstein of AFSC

Transcription:

Thomas Doeppner          McPherson College

                         McPherson, Kansas

                         March 15, 1941.

Mrs. Kathleen H. Hanstein

American Friends Service Committee

20 S. 12th St.

Philadelphia

Dear Mrs. Hanstein,

I am somewhat troubled by the fact that I do not hear anything from the State Department as to my visa affair. Is there anything I have omitted to do which should have been done? I need some kind of a status for applying for work next summer at the Kansas State College, and I would like to know where I am now, because I am trying to get my mother over to this country.

Somebody suggested that I write to Mrs. Tatiana Schaufuss of the American Committee for Christian Refugees in New York, but I want to know your advice first. Could this office help me any, or is there no use writing? Another thing: Is there any possibility of changing my status into a permanent resident? I ask this because it would mean a great simplification for my mother if I, the son, could give her an affidavit, although small.

I would appreciate it very much if you would write me about this. Thank you very much for all your kind help.

Sincerely yours,

Thomas Doeppner.

I hate to break it to you Opa, but I'm pretty sure that Anita Thieman, whose suggestion to contact Ms Schaufuss you just questioned, is sitting in the same room as Mrs. Hanstein. I could be wrong, but I'm fairly sure the folks at the AFSC communicate with each other. 

Opa has been trusting from the beginning of AFSC's advice and suggestions. I think this letter shows us just how concerned he is about his own visa status, and his mother's immigration. Now that her immigration is a real possibility, his visa is a bit more important. The "no news is good news" adage is not comforting Opa at the moment. He is confused why the State Department, who essentially gave him a heads up on his deportation, is now silent. 

I think Opa is also confused as to why the folks at the AFSC aren't also more concerned. Why are they sending him to some lady in New York? Are they done with him and his mother? Opa isn't ready to trust just anyone right now. On the outside, Opa doesn't have access to the constant exchange of information and referrals that goes on among many of the different agencies that were working hard to help refugees. All he knows is, he is currently without a visa, and he needs that visa for nearly everything else: a job, transfer to the engineering school, and the smallest hope for his mother.

Opa starts this letter by stating he is "somewhat troubled," but I think he is more than somewhat- he's straight up troubled. And he wants his regular advisor to tell him what to do.

March 14, 1941: Heart and Mind on War and Peace

Henry Speaks article for International Relations Club in The Spectator by Opa

Transcription:

Henry Speaks For I.R.C.

By Thomas Doeppner

Local News

Today at four o'clock, the two ladies' varsity debate teams of McPherson college will give a debate on the Latin American Question. Everybody is invited. 

The World At Large

By Tom Doeppner

The Lease-Lend Bill has been passed. If one is a pacifist, he opposes it, but only a pacifist should mourn, for most others should be satisfied with this development. This world is a world of war, and if one believes that war is essential for progress, he must use it totally, regardless of its consequences. One of the outcomes of war is a strict, centralized, powerful government. A centralized government is the life-blood of a military machine, because speed is the key-note of progress in rendering military decisions. Therefore the passage of this bill is of momentous import to our country.

Franco's refusal to let German military planes fly to Africa through Spain, came as a surprise not only to Hitler, but to the whole world. Does this new attitude mean that Franco does not trust his big brother any more? At any rate, England's Gibraltar feels somewhat safer because of this action.

All the world looks at Turkey. A high official in Ankara declared that Turkey would resist any direct German attack but would not necessarily(!) fight the Reich in the event of a Nazi onslaught on Greece. This reminds me of Poland's attitude toward the German invasion of Czechoslovakia. If this attitude failed to help Poland, how can it conceivably help Turkey?

Magazine Articles of Interest

Berle, A.A., "Peace Without Empire," Survey Graphic, 30:103, March, 1941.

McCulloch, J. I. B., "Influence from Overseas," ibid. p. 112.

Rockefeller, N.A., "Hemisphere Solidarity," ibid. p. 133

McKee, Samuel, "The Heart of a Continent," ibid. p. 158.

Editorial "Democracy and Filibuster," New Republic, 104:325, March 10, 1941.

Villard, O.R., "The Betrayal of Our Democracy," Christian Century, 58:357. March 12, 1941.

Opa speaks some strong words. I actually find it hard to discern if he is for or against the Lease-Lend bill. He seems to divide the argument in two- that the only reason to be upset about it is to be a pacifist, otherwise if you are for war- you should be for it all the way. It's sort of a slight against folks who want to meet somewhere in the middle. He's essentially saying: you can't do that. If you're for war- you have to do it and do it right- all the way. If you're a pacifist- then you are against this. Period. 

I imagine Opa finds himself thinking about this more than the average person. His mother, a jewish woman in the heart of Berlin, could use a weakened Hitler right now. His friends and soul-partners in adolescence - and the way he got to the United States- they are Quakers and Pacifists. Where does his heart and mind settle? 

I also find that little tidbit about Spain not allowing their airspace to Nazis interesting. I wrote about this a while ago, but the Nazis helped Franco win the Spanish civil war. This civil war was between Franco (a nationalist or how we call the German Nationalists: Nazi) and the democratically elected powers in Spain. Pablo Picasso's famous Guernica mural depicts the chaos and carnage following the Nazi-aided attack/bombing of civilians in the Spanish town of Guernica. So Franco was indebted to Hitler... and didn't seem to care. This is a shock! History lesson: Franco ruled from 1939 until his death in 1975. That's a long dictatorship. 

March 9, 1941: Go Outside, Play Sports

Letter from Ella to Opa

Translation:

Berlin-Charlottenburg 4

Droysenstrasse 14

March 9th,1941

My beloved boy,

After a long time, I finally received 2 letters from you on Thursday, one of January 28th and one of February 4th, and a few days before the "New year’s wish well mail.” I was happy to finally have news from you again. Hunschen, you already wrote to me about the examination, and I already begged you in my letter to be careful. Now I will repeat my plea. Even if the bacillus (germs) are not active, as the doctor said, they are present. You have to protect yourself from colds and strengthen yourself as much as possible. I wish I could be with you, take care of you and protect you. It is good that you do not smoke or drink. I assume you are still a teetotaler. Spend much time outside, in fresh air, do sports and eat a healthy diet. Don't exaggerate anything.  

Thanks, Hunschen for the promise that you will write to me about everything, and also let me know when you are not feeling well. Then I can calm down a bit. I have been without news from Spatzi for a terrible long time, which makes me very restless (worried). If only she is doing well. Do you hear from her? When was the last time? How is she?

What do you hear from Papa? Yesterday, on his birthday, I spent a short hour with Ann'chen, and naturally we spoke longingly of all of you. Ann'chen was so enthusiastic about the calendar, so I promised it to her, but with a "heavy heart" (which is the German for not really wanting to part with something). Perhaps you can send one more.  

Hunschen, how often do you actually have exams? I am glad that you passed everything so well, but it really is not in your field. I asked you to explain that to me some time ago, but did not receive an answer. You have not chosen any technical classes? Or do I misunderstand it? What do they mean by Mathematics of Finance? Since you paid for laboratory fees, I assume that you do some practical work, but I really cannot imagine your studies. U.S. history, French literature, differentials, chemistry (those 2 are in your field) astronomy and this (not clear to me again) mathematics of finance, all seems to be rather thrown together, kind of broken into pieces. Please Hunschen, write about this very clearly.

You write that you are trying to go to a special engineer school. I thought that at McPherson you also have the chance to prepare for your profession, otherwise the time there would be lost.

I trust you Hunschen, you will always do the right thing, but please write to me about it. Earlier I congratulated Kurt on his birthday. I also have not heard from him for a long time, and I am longing for that boy. Hopefully you have congratulated him also. He is so happy about every little sign from us. Last week I had a letter from Hanna. She wrote that she is in contact with you, and is happy about your very nice letters.

Say hello to the Shelleys for me, I will write to them soon. How are you, my boy?  Write more about that soon.

I kiss you very, very lovingly

Your Mama

Ella is feeling more herself in this letter. Hardly any mention of the visa or getting affidavits, and every other line is filled with motherly advice. Poor Opa. She wants him to write about when he doesn't feel well, but he knows for a fact that if he lets on even a little bit that something isn't quite right, she will become a nervous wreck until the next letter which is usually at least a month or so in traveling. I applaud Opa trying to be as honest as he is. 

I love Ella's confusion about Opa's school. You can tell her German logic is getting the better of her. Sure this school allowed her son to be in America, but what in the world are these classes he is taking? She wonders why he isn't studying in his field. Opa clearly left out a major detail when telling his mother about in his college search, and that was that McPherson is a liberal arts college and it was the first school to invite him over. He was smart enough to accept the offer and figure it out when he gets there. Ella is afraid he's wasting time and will have to start all over again if he has to go to another school to get the right classes. I wonder how different the American College/University system was from the German one. 

The other part of this anxiety on Ella's part might come from the fact that she is hoping that Opa can graduate and get a job sooner rather than later. That could create a better opportunity for her if Opa was to sponsor her immigration as an employed engineer. I don't think she dwelled on this, but I'm sure she thought of it.

My favorite part of this letter might be the laundry list of how Opa was to achieve optimum health. Apparently Opa had some run-in with tuberculosis. Ella's instructions: eat well, go outside, play sports, work hard but not too hard, sleep well, don't smoke or drink, and write your mother. Ha. She's right though- that'll keep most folks healthy. 

March 7, 1941: Powder Keg of the World

Henry Speaks (for International Relations Club) Article by Opa in The Spectator

Transcription:

Henry Speaks For I.R.C.

By Thomas Doeppner

Today at four o'clock, Miss Consuelo Alfaro will talk about Mexico, Mexican customs, Mexican student life. Everybody, member or not member of the International Relations Club, is invited to attend this meeting. Next week the club will have a joint program with the International Relations Club of Central College and the University Women's club. The program will be held at Central college. For further details watch the bulletin board.

The World At Large

The Balkans, germ of many wars and disputes of world scope in past history, again hold the spotlight in the drama of European war. With the Nazi concentration of Bulgaria the bombshell was set off and Russia, Turkey, Greece, England, are now buzzing with action and anxiety. Russia has shown her disapproval of King Boris' action in a note given to the Bulgarian minister in Moscow. The note stated that the mechanized concentration "did not lead to consolidation of peace" and is taken by many to be a warning directed at the Nazis. 

Russia's statement has given Turkey hopes that she will allow no foreign aggression against Turkey, and to assure the rest of the world that she herself means business. Turkey has mined the Dardanelles. The English are still skeptical of Russia's stand since she did not rebuke the Nazis directly. The English continue to push the Italians all over the map of Africa and show no signs of weakening.

The United States issued an order signed by President Roosevelt which "freezes" Bulgarian funds which are in the United States at the present time. In fact, every important nation has been affected by the Balkan moves, and more trouble seems to be brewing with Yugoslavia threatening to join the Tokyo-Berlin-Rome axis. The world is waiting for future developments and something is apt to develop if Nazi-Bulgar troops line up restlessly across the border from Turkish-Greek forces.

I love that the International Relations Club hosts discussions and speakers from other countries. They are so good to keep the conversations going, to keep the voices fresh and new. I need to be more proactive in my own life so seek out those fresh voices. I have started a book club at my church that seeks to read books that have different voices than we are used to reading. I need to look into the local university's lecture series and see what is out there. I'm going to do that as soon as I publish this blog.

A phrase I heard when I was in history classes as a high schooler was that the Balkans were the powder keg of the world. Here is Opa saying the same thing:

The Balkans, germ of many wars and disputes of world scope in past history, again hold the spotlight in the drama of European war. 

This makes me appreciate that some of my history teachers were trying to teach me. I wish I had listened better!

March 3 & 13, 1941: I am Without Visa

Letter from Annelise Thieman of AFSC to Opa

Transcription:

Mr. Thomas Doeppner     March 3, 1941.

McPherson College

McPherson, Kansas

                     Re: Ella Doeppner- #3340

My dear Mr. Doeppner:

                    

We received your letter of February 18 regarding the affidavit of support for your mother. Although we do not know exactly which registration numbers the American Consul is calling at present it is correct that they are speeded up considerably and it is quite probable that your mother's number will be called soon. We are sending you by the same mail some affidavit forms and information as to how to make out these papers.

You state that you are trying "to raise the necessary amount" but it probably would not be necessary to put up an irrevocable credit for your mother. At least, it seems that the Consuls recently have discontinued requesting such bonds but demand a strong affidavit of support. Even though we do not know how your financial situation is, we would suggest that you, as a close relative, even though your income may be small, make out an affidavit for your mother, and in addition try to get a second one through some friends of yours in this country who have some financial backing.

It is correct that in previous years our Committee every once in a while could find somebody willing to prepare an affidavit, but these resources by now have been utterly exhausted and now only occasionally do we find one wiling to help with these papers. We can only get them for very young persons and never for elderly ones.

I do not think that you should have the affidavit made out by a lawyer if it involves any expenses. We shall be very glad to have you send the papers to our office and we shall look them over before sending them on to the Consul to make sure that they are right. The most important points are in the second part of the affidavit--that is, where you have to answer questions as to your financial situation. In every case (real estate, bank account, insurance, etc.) you will have to prove by a statement of the bank, real estate broker, insurance company, etc. that your statements are correct. Also, you will have to enclose the photostatic copies of your last year's tax return receipt. Furthermore, you will have to write a so-called letter of friendship to the American Consul in which you state your personal interest in the prospective immigrant and the arrangements which you have made for her after she arrives. On that point you, of course, have to be very careful not to make any statement which would be in contradiction to the contract labor clause of the immigration law.

An affidavit is valid for one year and since there is good reason to hope that your mother will be able to come over within a year I certainly think the papers should be prepared

By the way, have you made arrangements to change your status? It would be a good time now and if you have not done anything about it I would suggest that you write to Mrs. Tatiana Schaufuss of the American Committee for Christian Refugees, 165 West 46th Street, New York City, who is handling these situations and will give you all necessary advice.

Sincerely,

Annelies Thieman.

Letter from Opa to Annelise Thieman of AFSC

Transcription:

Miss Anelise Thieman

American Friends Service Committee

20 S. 12th St.

Philadelphia   

                    Re: Ella Doeppner - #3340

Dear Miss Thieman:

I received your letter of March 3. In the meantime I have been trying to secure an affidavit from friends around McPherson, and it is very probable that one of them will give one. This man has no great financial background, but he owns a farm of about 200 acres. I worked for him during summertime a while. Do you think that this, in connection with the affidavit of character, for which I am trying to get some "personality" of the college, will be sufficient? You suggested that I should give an affidavit myself; can I do so under my present status? (As you know, I am without visa at all right now, and the one I applied for is a student's visa.)

I shall keep looking for further possibilities of affidavits. Thank you again very much for your help.

Sincerely yours,

Thomas Doeppner.

Elderly. Ella was considered elderly at this point in time. She was 53 years old. I was so surprised by that. I did a quick search for the life expectancy in the 1940s and for Germany it was around 60 years old. That blew my mind. It shouldn't have, but I have the uncommon perspective of spending a lot of my time with elderly who are well into their 90s and still getting around like always. When I hear someone died in their 70s I am saddened that they were gone at such a young age. So when Annelise (how does she spell her name?! I feel like it keeps changing) mentioned that affidavits from the AFSC network had been exhausted except the rare occasion for very young people, certainly not the elderly- I thought- "she can't be talking about Ella?!" But she was, and appropriately so. 

So now with that age of 53 years old as "elderly" in your mind, remember the history lessons of who was instantly sent to the crematoriums when the "Final Solution" was put into effect. The very young and the very old: potentially a 53 year old. The more connected I get to the people in my story, the more real this history becomes, and the more surreal the tragedy becomes.

Getting back to the letters. Opa's letter asking if it really was possible for his mother's immigration number to be up was answered quickly by Ms. Theiman, and optimistically so! What a rush of hope that must have surged through Opa. The time was now to get the affidavits, the possibility was here! Ms. Thieman of the AFSC gave him some helpful hints and affidavit forms and set him loose. One of the things she recommended was for Opa himself to be one of the affidavits, although he wasn't financially able to support Ella, he was a close relative and a legal resident of the United States. Or was he? She asks if he had set about changing his visa status and gives him a contact to help him with that.

Yeah, Opa responded with a solid "I am without a visa." I can't wait to see what she has to say about that. Opa's reply is essentially to let her know he's covering all his other bases, and even got what he hopes is a formidable affidavit. Here is what he wrote in his autobiography about looking for those affidavits and being a sponsor for his mother:

Realistically, this meant that I as the sponsor must already live in the States on an immigration visa (mine was a student visa) or be able otherwise to show that I was able to support her. There were some friends who tried to help: the parents of one of my fellow students in Kansas, Wilson and Blanche Shelley, offered to have her live with them on their large farm, and in addition would provide $5,000 from their savings, which was a lot of money in those days.

I can only imagine what must be going through Opa's mind as he frantically works to secure enough affidavits and support for his mother to immigrate to safety.

February 28, 1941: Adolf Spoils March Again

Henry Speaks (International Relations Club) Article by Opa in The Spectator

Transcription:

Henry Speaks For I.R.C.

By Thomas Doeppner

No Meeting to Be Held

There will be no International Relations club meeting this week. The next program will be held next Friday at four o'clock in the S.U.R. where Miss Consuelo Alfaro, a student from Mexico, will speak.

The World At Large

Mussolini has been giving another talk to the Italian people, a pep talk and a farewell address at the same time. Pep talk in so far as he told his people that now "the fun will begin" in Greece, and a farewell address because it is probably the last one he will give as actual head of the Italian government, for if England is not going to smash the Italian empire before long, German troops are going to take care of Italy. In either case: Good-bye, Benito.

Turkish foreign minister Saracoglu denied that Turkey's pact with Bulgaria means that she would not resist a German march so long as her own borders were not violated. Informed sources believe, however, that Germany will march regardless of consequences.

Vichy reports of intensive preparations for an invasion of England, about a German move within the next few days, but we heard this story too often before. On the other hand, spring is Hitler's favorite season, and for the last seven years the world has not seen any March that has not been spoiled by Adolf.

Magazine Articles of Interest

Editorial, "The Search for a Lasting Peace," Christian Century, 58:278, February 26, 1941.

Villard, O.G., "Rule by Fear," ibid, p. 288.

Kirchwey, Freda, "Hitler Moves East," Nation, 152:201, February 22, 1941.

Pratt, Fletcher, "What Can We Defend?" New Republic, 104:267, February 24, 1941.

Benedict, Ruth, "Our Last Minority: Youth," ibid. p. 271.

I giggled out loud when I read Opa's line: 

"On the other hand, spring is Hitler's favorite season, and for the last seven years, the world has not seen any March that has not been spoiled by Adolf."

Sometimes humor is the only salve that keeps your entire egg from cracking. I lean on humor in tough times, and I love my Opa for passing that ability for dark humor on to my Father and then to me. 

February 18 & 25, 1941: Einstein is Back!

Letter from Opa to Mrs. Hanstein of AFSC

Transcription:

Thomas Doeppner         McPherson College

                        McPherson, Kansas

                        February 18, 1941

Mrs. Kathleen Hambly Hanstein

American Friends Service Committee

20 S. 12th St.

Philadelphia

Dear Mrs. Hanstein,

Some days ago I went to Manhattan, Kansas, to look for possibilities of attending Kansas State College next year. My main purpose was to find out as to the financial situation. There are no scholarships available for me, furthermore I have to pay non-resident fees. However, there seem to be rather good chances for obtaining work during school time. I applied for jobs in the modern language department, in the library, and as tutor in German, French, and Mathematics.

A thing which helped me a lot in seeing people in Manhattan, was a copy of the recommendation Professor Albert Einstein wrote me. I sent that recommendation to Miss Salmon when I was still in Amsterdam. I would appreciate it very much if you would forward me this letter as well as other recommendations which are in my Philadelphia file.

Do you think there is anything else I might be able to do in this matter? I thank you very much or your troubles and your interest in me.

Sincerely yours,

Thomas Doeppner.

Letter from Elizabeth Walton of AFSC to Opa

Transcription:

              February 25, 1941

Mr. Thomas Doeppner

McPherson College,

McPherson, Kansas.

Dear Mr. Doeppner:

Mrs. Hanstein has asked me to answer your letter of February 18th. We are very glad to return to you here- with the recommendations we had on file and can well understand that these will be helpful in securing introductions.

We shall be anxious to hear about the development regarding your contacts in Manhattan, Kansas, and whether you succeed in securing a definite opening. We shall also be glad to keep your record in our active file for any openings that may come to our attention. We wonder whether you are also registered with the International Student Service, 8 West 40th Street, New York City, which also learns of scholarship openings. We hope you will keep us informed of your plans.

Sincerely yours,

Elizabeth Walton.

This letter and response between Opa and the AFSC shows us the beginning of Opa's interest in transferring to Kansas State. Opa has exhausted the math and engineering classes at McPherson College and needs to find a school with the appropriate classes to get the degree he desires for a career in engineering. Opa's search for financial opportunities come up a little dry. There are no scholarships available and he has to pay what seems like the equivalent of "out-of-state" tuition that colleges have now. Yeah, I'd say he's pretty out of state. I'm not sure what his non-resident fees are, but Opa remains optimistic with job applications into every area that he can possibly imagine serving. I did notice that his jobs are all academic, perhaps he's tired of the farm labor jobs? Ha. 

I love that the Einstein letter is the gift that keeps on giving. He used it to gain an audience at Kansas State, a big University that likely wasn't in the market for a German student. Opa asks for his original letter back along with the rest of the letters of recommendation that are in his case file. I hadn't thought about the fact that he had sent all of those on to Philadelphia from Amsterdam, and was trusting them to hold them and copy them to the appropriate colleges. Now he was able to do some of the ground work himself, and he needed his original letters. So this is how the Einstein letter came back to Opa's hands. He was a smart guy to have a copy and a smart guy to keep the original.

Elizabeth Walton responds on behalf of the AFSC and encourages Opa in his endeavors. She returns the letters (I assume enclosed with the reply). She doesn't answer Opa's question about whether or not there are any other funds or scholarships available, and it seems to me the response is very: "good for you- keep us informed, but the ball is in your court with this one." Opa has been empowered to search his own adventure. She does recommend that he connect with the International Student Services (ISS) if he hasn't already, but I got the impression that was more to see if there were schools with available spots for him. I'm sure both the AFSC and the ISS were always on the outlook for available spots with scholarships for all their active case files.

I can't help but wonder what is happening with the visa process. No one seems to be worried about it- but the last news from the INS was that Opa was in danger of being deported. Then there was silence. Hopefully that means they've let it go or have bigger things to deal with now.