Viewing page 42 of 140

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Mr. Chairman - Ladies and Gentlemen - Dear friends -

I am sure you will understand my legitimate emotion and will forgive my bad and shaky english.  To fully [[strikethrough]] understand [[/strikethrough]] appreciate what human solidarity and, in the present case, the International Rescue Committee, has done to a fellow human being, I have to go back [[strikethrough]] a little more then 14 years [[/strikethrough]] almost two decades when the great exodus from germany started; in Paris we created a fair society, to give shelter or food to the crowds of refugees.  One of such societies made me the honor to nominate me the chairman of honor.  That gave me the opportunity to learn closely wath [[what]] was nitly case and it is to be a refugee.

So when we all understood that the german offensive of May 10, 1940 could not be stopped, I went to see a friend of mine, a great doctor, and I said to him: [[strikethrough]] I am sure, my dear, that [[/strikethrough]] "It is sure now the Nazis will be here in a few days.  I don't want to fall into their hands alive.  You know, I have done anti-Hitler sculpture, you are my friend, [[strikethrough]] I am sure, [[/strikethrough]] you would not like that they capture me alive.  Give me something to finish quickly in case I can't escape.  I promise you not to use it otherwise."

"But, Jacques", he said, "you don't realize what you are asking me, I am a doctor, [[strikethrough]] I am a doctor, [[/strikethrough]] I can't do it."  "Not that I don't have anything like it.  By the irony of life, it's even of German fabrication, I will show it to you.  One is enough". [[strikethrough]] And he left the roo [[\strikethrough]]

And he went out and brought a little package with yellowish tablets which he put on his desk.  After a while of conversation he left the room under a pretext and I put a few [[strikethrough]] pills [[/strikethrough]] tablets in my pocket.  When he came back I took him warmly in my arms, kissed him goodby and went away.

And from then on I was absolutely calm.  The Nazis were approaching I worked every day as if nothing was happening. [[strikethrough]] Then, [[/strikethrough]] In the evening of June 8, my friends Pierre and Dolly Chareau called me on the phone, telling me that they have a car [[strikethrough]] was repaired and [[/strikethrough]] they were leaving Paris that same night and that we must go with them.

Transcription Notes:
2 [[?]]s remain