Night Angels(30)

“I didn’t realize it would be so challenging to apply for a visa to Palestine.”

“Neither did I. And it’s been a long wait here too. Look at all these people! That man over there, Mr. Bahndorf. He’s a world-renowned surgeon, and now we are paupers who desperately need to leave Vienna. With some luck, the Americans might accept our applications.”

Fengshan took a deep breath. “How long have you been here?”

“Since dawn. I’ve waited here for four days, but I can’t even get my foot in the door. Now I’m running out of time. I have seven days to get a visa, or I’ll be sent to the Dachau camp.”

Seven days! “Let me see what I can do for you, Mr. Rosenburg. I’ll have a word with the American consul general. Maybe he can help. Why don’t you go home? You look exhausted.”

His friend rubbed his red-rimmed eyes and sighed.

“I’ll let you know what happens, Mr. Rosenburg. You go home and rest.”

Finally, his exhausted friend shambled away. Fengshan told Rudolf to park the car and passed the long line to get inside the consulate. Even though it was most inappropriate and he didn’t have an appointment, he was resolved to speak to the consul general. They had had an amicable meeting about the conference, so he felt emboldened.

To his surprise, Mr. Wiley was in the lobby.

“Dr. Ho! Good to see you. I was on my way out.” Mr. Wiley beckoned him to a quiet area in the hallway, away from the visa applicants.

“This is rather impetuous of me, but I assume you’ve heard the news about the conference, Mr. Wiley. It’s a sad day for the Viennese, a sad day for the world. I am astounded.”

The American took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I confess I’m equally disappointed. This outcome is beyond my imagination.”

“Mr. Wiley, I hate to bother you; however, would you mind my asking some questions regarding visas to the United States? It’s for a friend.”

“Dr. Ho, my country has a strict law regarding visas. I regret to inform you that as a Foreign Service Officer, I can’t give favors. However, perhaps granting visas is something your consulate would consider?”

He sighed. “I have orders from my superior to stay clear of Germany’s domestic affairs.”

“As do many consulates.”

He persisted. “Mr. Wiley, on behalf of my consulate, may I express my deepest admiration; your heroic protection of Dr. Freud shall remain an inspiration to all of us.”

“I must be frank, Dr. Ho—Dr. Freud and his family requested to travel to the US, but unfortunately, they were unable to receive visas. I certainly hope some of our British friends will help him settle in England. As a Foreign Service Officer, I have my obligations to my country. I hope you’ll understand.”

It was shocking to hear that the American consulate had declined even Dr. Freud a visa. “Mr. Wiley, if it’s not too much trouble, would you enlighten me on the status of your country’s immigration quota? So I may relay the information to my friend?”

A grimace appeared on the American’s face. “This is not a state secret, and it’s within my authority to discuss this with you, as a fellow diplomat. The American quota for Greater Germany, including Austria, was 27,370 for the year 1938. This quota was allocated to four consulates in the country. The Viennese likely received about five thousand visas.”

“But there are many Jews in Vienna!”

“There are about one hundred eighty thousand Jews.”

The quota was only a small fraction of the population. “And has your consulate met the quota this year?”

“All five thousand of them.”

Just like that, the US had closed its doors to about 175,000 Viennese.

“Regretfully, Dr. Ho, there’s nothing I can do. If I were you, I would urge your friend to apply now. Provided that he has the documents and the affidavit and sponsorship ready at this moment, he’ll be able to receive the visa next spring.”

“Next spring!” Mr. Rosenburg only had seven days!

“My apologies, Dr. Ho.”

Fengshan thanked Mr. Wiley and left the American consulate. On the street, he took a good look around him. All these visa seekers. Mistreated. Harassed. Forced to leave the city. But where would they go now that thirty-two countries had shut their doors? He was not an emotional man, but he could feel their desperation, their fears.

One hundred eighty thousand Jews in Vienna. No visas were available until next spring.



Later that day, in their bedroom, he informed Grace of the announcement the conference had released. With a heavy sigh, he added that people had flooded the American consulate, but the country’s immigration quota for this year had been filled.

“But I told Lola there would be a protection plan and an immigration policy from the thirty-two countries. You said so.” Grace looked stunned.

He could recall every word in the newspaper—a humanitarian disaster.

“What about Lola, my dear? Her brother is still at the Headquarters! She needs visas!”





CHAPTER 16


LOLA


I went to the British embassy on Metternichgasse; it was closed. I went to the French embassy; it was shuttered. Outside the American consulate, I joined the Viennese dentists, professors, singers, and actors, applying for my brother’s freedom and my family’s future. But the consulate gave no answers about when the visas would be issued and also required a long list of documents, including police certificates, health records, sponsorship, and an affidavit from relatives in the US. My family didn’t have American relatives.