ON THE EVE
33
stay is to stay. (They too are doing their simple duty well, and
they too are on the alert for tomorrow, one must not doubt that.)
And I know that some of them will have to die--the law of averages
requires that. But I also know that some of them cannot and ought
not remain, otherwise they will perish inevitably and uselessly.
And yet, although these are the most resolute and conspicuous
enemies of nazi-fascism, your great American democracy closes its
doors to them. High officials, wearing V's in their button-h.oles,
have drawn up new regulations for visas that are virtually deliver–
ing some thousands of courageous workers into the hands of the
Gestapo. I don't know just how this could happen, but it has. I
can well understand that those officials have no sympathy for men
who are after all subversives. But can't they realize that Europe is
going to have urgent need of these men tomorrow? That if the
cadres of old European socialism are not rescued, tomorrow's
inevitable revolutions are going to be inspired and led by ex-Nazis,
ex-Fascists, ex-Stalinists, by adventurers without ideas, without
humanity, scruples or devotion? All that's necessary to see this is
a simple political calculation. In the concentration camps of the
Sahara and in the sad streets of Marseilles are men who must be
saved if we are at all anxious to save certain values-for human
values cannot exist without men to incarnate them....
(Translated by ] ean Connolly)
