The recording was created as part of the project „Preservation, Development, Digitalization, and Promotion of the PIASA Collections – Stage V,” co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland.
Nagranie powstało w ramach zadania: „Zabezpieczenie, opracowanie, digitalizacja i promocja zbiorów PIASA – etap V”. Dofinansowano ze środków Ministra Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej.
Anti-Polish Propaganda in Polish-Jewish Relations
Colonel, At the end of September 1944, a minor incident occurred in Rio de Janeiro, which, however, had certain political consequences and contributed to the exacerbation of Polish-Jewish relations in Brazil, particularly in Rio de Janeiro. Since I have reason to believe that the echoes of this matter will reach New York and London and that you, Colonel, may encounter this issue in London in a form that, as usual in such cases, is exaggerated and untrue, I consider it appropriate to clarify it in a few words.
At the aforementioned time, an argument took place between two schoolmates: 13-year-old KRZYSZTOF, the son of the Polish envoy to Brazil, SKOWROŃSKI, and his peer WEISSMAN, the son of a Jew – a Swiss citizen (allegedly born in Tarnów, Poland). During this dispute, young Skowroński allegedly insulted Jews and „expressed his anti-Semitic views.” According to the minister’s son’s version, he was merely reacting to Weissman’s offensive statements about Poland and Poles. Of course, at present, it is almost impossible to determine the exact course of the altercation between two 13-year-old boys.
The Jews, however, drew surprisingly significant and disproportionately large conclusions from this incident. They interpreted the words of the minister’s son as a reflection of the views prevailing in the envoy’s household and, in general, as indicative of the “fascist” attitude of the Legation and all Poles associated with it.
Despite the minister taking all possible steps to de-escalate the matter, certain „hidden factors” did everything in their power to give it as much publicity as possible. To clarify the situation, the Legation’s secretary, ZANIEWSKI, was sent to the school principal. The minister also sent two letters of apology to WEISSMAN, but even after the second letter, when Weissman responded that he considered the incident resolved and held no further grievances, the issue continued circulating in Brazil. It was particularly persistently spread within diplomatic circles and foreign communities.
The first consequence of this incident was the withdrawal of METRO GODWYN MEIER (where the father of the „offended” boy is an employee) from its earlier promise to donate proceeds from the pre-premiere of the film Curie-Skłodowska to aid the victims of the Warsaw Uprising.
Subsequently, the Mexican ambassador in Rio (who, among other roles, is also a shareholder of Metro Godwyn Meier) became involved in the matter. For several weeks, in conversations held within diplomatic circles, he continuously commented on the incident, condemning the fascist views of envoy Skowroński. This Mexican envoy expressed his stance in conversations with Poles, including Father Olgierd Czartoryski and Father Konstanty Czartoryski. Allegedly, the Chilean envoy to Brazil (Gabriel Gonzalez-Videla, wife Rosa Marckmann de Gonzalez) played an especially active role in inflating the affair. According to obtained information, he was the key figure responsible for amplifying the issue within diplomatic circles.
The Swiss envoy also took an interest in the matter, and it was further discussed by some members of the U.S. and British Embassies and the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to information from a senior official of the diplomatic protocol, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is having significant trouble with this issue.”
The facts outlined above have had a major impact on Jewish attitudes toward the Polish cause. Many of them have refrained from participating in Polish celebrations and events or visiting Polish organizations in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. There have also been cases of individuals withdrawing their pledges to make regular monthly contributions to support Polish prisoners of war.
I am aware that some telegrams have been sent by Jews to the U.S., including one by a wartime refugee, a certain Roman LANDAU.
In the past two weeks, tensions have slightly calmed, and some individuals have taken the position that the anti-Polish campaign has gone too far, which could lead to undesirable consequences.
However, this is not the result of a change in opinions but rather a political tactic, as evidenced by the fact that those now advocating restraint are Jews well known for their hostility toward Poland.
Despite the de-escalation of the issue, I suspect it will resurface at the Congress of Polish Jews in the U.S. scheduled for January 1945 and that it may be discussed both in the United States and in England.
For this reason, I believe that our military authorities should be informed about the potential for such actions.
Personally, I am convinced that this entire trivial incident, for which Envoy Skowroński bears no blame, was deliberately exploited by communist elements who are currently particularly keen on mobilizing Jews against us and convincing foreigners of our alleged “intolerance” and “fascist” attitudes.
The whole affair is analogous to the recently orchestrated campaign against the Government and General Sosnkowski in particular, which aimed to discredit our high-ranking officials.
I take the liberty of suggesting to you, Colonel, that you use this letter only if necessary.
I would not want my letter to be interpreted as a report against Envoy Skowroński.
Stanisław Kara, Lt. Colonel (Dipl.)
The recording was created as part of the project „Preservation, Development, Digitalization, and Promotion of the PIASA Collections – Stage V,” co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland.
Nagranie powstało w ramach zadania: „Zabezpieczenie, opracowanie, digitalizacja i promocja zbiorów PIASA – etap V”. Dofinansowano ze środków Ministra Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej.