Page 18 - Tales the Maggid Never Told Me

Madagascar Madness

but the Nazis were looking for a way to deport the Jews of Europe to
another country in the Thirties.”
“No, I never knew that. If it wasn’t in the newspapers or on the
radio when I was a kid, then I wouldn’t have heard about it.”
“Well, word of it reached this place without benefit of those organs
of officially-sanctioned information, primarily because Madagascar
was one of the proposed recipients of that vast Jewish population.
Apparently the Zionists themselves, as well as the anti-Semites, had
been searching for such a solution to the failure of most European
countries to integrate their Jewish inhabitants—I cannot say,
citizens—into societies too easily swayed by ethnic rivalry and
scapegoating by religious and political leaders. And the Jews who had
been successful were often wealthy: thus the transport of millions of
men, women and children to some distant exile could be financed by
confiscating their property. In 1940 France was defeated, her colonies
controlled by Vichy, and the Madagascar Plan reached the desk of
high Nazi officials in Berlin.”
Seidell’s eyes widened. “Wow!”
“Indeed, my friend: ‘wow!’” Weiss managed a wan smile. “Would it
have worked? Could the transplantation of European Jewry to this
backward island have been the answer, a new beginning for an
ancient people? Would they have used their skills and intelligence to
transform Madagascar into a modern nation, integrating with the
local population in a partnership of self-interest? We’ll never know,
because in 1942, Britain fought a naval battle here, landed troops and
defeated Vichy. The Free French took over, and the Madagascar Plan
was abandoned. News from Europe became spotty—but now you
have confirmed the result: instead of transporting Jews they
murdered them. It was madness to hope that salvation and refuge
could be found here for our people. Madness.”
“But you, sir: what did you do when Vichy took over?”
“I left this place and joined guerillas deep in the forest. It was there
I contracted malaria. It went untreated, of course. I am dying. That is
why I will not be traveling back to the States with you, young man.
There will be no antidote in my final chapter. Leave me here, in
peace, with my secrets.”

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