Click on the image to get all articles
Rome, May 10th, 1949
Dear Ladurner!
Here I am back to the city completely exhausted. During the day the temperature reaches considerably warmer degrees. But the nights cool off marvelously. I now understand why all men here wear tank tops underneath their shirts. One can catch a cold easily with the weather changes, which is why to the guide Baadecker, and in Deterling’s experience here is much worse than up North. Now, let’s get down to it:
I. Documents: no progress since my last letter. The situation hasn’t changed at all! – I neither have in my hand yet the promised P.A. [passport, possibly]; I will most likely receive it the next week or in the next two weeks.
II. Emigration. – Here I give you the results of conversations I have had in recent days regarding this issue. Guarantees of their pertinence, of course, I cannot endorse.
Reprodução
According to Hu. [Alois Hudal possibly], Red Cross passports will not be issued after the end of May. This function will then be transferred to a Vatican department. He believes that the document issued by the Vatican may have less value than the current (which, in turn, already have very limited recognition).
Detering has a different opinion and says that such assertions have been repeated several times without ever being proved – The process to obtaining [the passport] you already know. You must have proof of statelessness. H. could provide one, but only under his real name! – D. has another way that also allows other things.
Since the “Libre” thing continues and will continue obviously convoluted, H. suggests taking a tourist visa, which he said is possible to obtain with a Red Cross passport, to be able to get there. The approximately 150,000 liras necessary, he suggests to borrow here, because he is very happy with the possibility of getting good money in return. – (I know how theoretical the thing is, but I want to report on everything, and especially the possibilities discussed. And who knows if in the meantime, you have already found yourself a good funder!?). Here we think that, when you're already on the other side, you will get by somehow. – According to H., a tourist visa is granted upon the presentation of any information on intent or motive to visit.
In conversations with current candidates to Argentina, I could verify that they, due to the known difficulties, went to Brazil to change profession. -You should do the same when you're on the other side, to increase your chances of success. -The consulate which issues the visa (Br [Brazil] is not aware of any “Libre”) requires:
1) Passport (also from the Red Cross, provided that it comes along with any older, pre-war document, and photography; an alpine club card, for example, should serve).
2) Birth Certificate
3) Marriage Certificate
4) Employment record book (technical or agronomic), or a certificate that you have worked for more than two [years] in that profession (a company’s certificate is sufficient).
5) Declaration that you are not a communist (attached).
I also talked to a gentleman who was in the same situation as you are, and also has been waiting (to go to) Argentina since December. He told me a story straight from the source: Brazilians do not actually recognize the Red Cross passports, but they would settle for an Austrian passport or I.Karte [identity card]. Moreover, it is possible to speak openly with them, without making Austrian authorities aware. The other four requirements above are, according to him, also needed.
Reprodução
He later commented, when we spoke of your case, that he believed he could get funding to help you (just as he had got for himself). An indispensable precondition for this is that you declare yourself Protestant (that's right: Protestant!). – It is an organization which has funded the trip of a large number of interested people, which until recently included that famous American lady. At that time they also paid, exceptionally, for people of other faiths, but now, with the change of regime, unfortunately this option is ruled out. – I must say that this person who I’m mentioning seems to be a very serious man, after all that I could learn about him. – The said person also told me that in ten days, that is, around the 20th; he will be here to get to his ship. In the meantime he could give you a hand in these things, as he himself said. — I know very well that these things do not please you on matter of principle; nevertheless I wouldn’t like to leave you uninformed about this possibility, and will keep you posted on what happens.
Concerning a possible stay here, you could get free lunch and dinner in the papal cafeteria for a week (renewable). It is rather primitive, as well as the company, but it is all there is. – The difficulty remains as always the neighborhood. I just now discussed it with D. We see no other possibility (of where to sleep) besides the institute where I slept during my first week (400 per night; with breakfast 450) or a pension D. cited (300-350 per night). If you stay only a week until day 20, it is possible to make it happen. – So I await your decision.
I would also like to emphasize, as I did in my first letter, that if you want to come up here for documents, costs and expenses at the time are not worth it. If you are interested in the things discussed here and still manage to face all obstacles and fulfill all the requirements, then yes your expenses and your time will be more than justified. In case you do not want to go to Brazil, and this offer is valid only to get there, you can save your money and leave it to me to keep the crank moving , as I have been doing for so long during this long stay here. Anyway, nuances will always appear, which, when I find relevant, I will continue to inform you as I do in this letter.
That guy who Pri and your friend, the Editor , called Croatian sadly has gone to Argentina for a long time now. And should not come back anymore.
If you come here, you better take the night train which arrives early in the morning so you avoid going through the same complications I went through, and let me know in advance by telegram.
In the interim, cordial greetings,
Alfredo Reinhardt
Please write me the address of the man who is a relative to be by name, its predecessor R., who is in Argentina. I would like to write to him and get information about the map (can also be a card).
Big hug and a kiss on the hands from Frau F.
NULL
NULL