The Days after the November Pogrom and the Visit to Vienna
Source: Testimony of Dr. Franz Meier Source: Yad Vashem Archive O.1/13
I went to the barber shop. Benno Cohn found me there. He had been to Meineke street [where many Jewish organisations had their offices] and took me back there with him. He kept murmuring to himself: this should be photographed. This should be photographed'. We climbed over the overthrown furniture. We then went to Kant Street, where I had my office. I sat at my desk, following this false motto: "keep going as if everything is normal", and started working. I saw the Fasanen Street synagogue burning, and there I was sitting working on the file of Gutmann, Upper Silesia, dictating a letter…. In those days, the most efficient people among the Jews were not the men, but the women. I have real admiration for what the Jewish wives of the detained men accomplished in those weeks. They went to the authorities and vocally inquired about their husbands. …Several days later, the Hilfsverein (Jewish Aid Association) was functioning again. By chance, their offices had not been destroyed. They were doing their best to help people obtain visas, furnish the necessary paperwork and give them information about emigration possibilities… We, a delegation of Berlin Jews, were called to Vienna to see and learn how well the emigration process there was functioning. The participants included Stahl, Koczower and myself in Eppstein's place (Eppstein was ill)…. We were received at the Vienna railway station by Mr. Engel (of the Vienna community) - Loewenherz and Rottenberg were in Geneva - and went on to the Rothschild Palace [the location of the Main Office for Jewish Emigration]. The SS man who was to take us in did not know what to do. His tone was very rough, but the Jews from Berlin were, after all, invited guests. So he yelled: The gentlemen from Berlin have arrived'. I was lead to Eichmann. He had changed considerably…. In Vienna he had transformed into an animal. He ordered that we be shown around. We were led through all the offices: the asset deposit, taxes, visas, passports, etc. etc.… All these offices were all over the palace, spread over three floors, in different halls, small rooms that were still decorated with the original tapestry. We finally were through. The impression was terrible. We were ordered back in the afternoon. Eichmann asked: how do you like it?' We answered: it is impossible. It cannot be done this way. We don't like it at all.' He cursed us terribly. He had not had such an answer in a long time. Then we were to return home, and only Stahl was to remain a day longer… We were called to the Gestapo in Berlin. Eichmann was there, but he was not the highest ranking person present. The man in charge was Mr. Von Arnim: I have received the report. We have to do things here as they do in Vienna. But the matter of foreign currency will have to be dealt with differently.' The Viennese had handed over the Joint funds to the Gestapo, whereas we in Berlin had managed to prevent this in legal ways until the very end. Where are your foreign funds?' We have no foreign funds.' Where are the bank accounts with the foreign currency?' There are only accounts with Marks.' Where are the receipts for the foreign currency?' They are in Palestine'… I did not take part in the next meeting. The preparations for my emigration were complete…. I had my visa and ticket. I did not go to the next meeting. Benno Cohn took my place.
