Draft Statement by President Roosevelt Regarding War Crimes
3/24/1944
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President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued this statement about the Holocaust during World War II, calling "the systematic torture and murder of innocent civilians...by the Nazis and the Japanese"..."one of the blackest crimes in all history." FDR stated that "the wholesale systematic murder of the Jews of Europe...goes on unabated every hour."
He proclaimed "that none who participate in such acts of savagery shall go unpunished" and that the "United Nations have made it clear that they will pursue the guilty." He stated that the "United States will persevere in its efforts to rescue the victims of brutality of the Nazis and the Japs" vowing that "this Government will use all means at its command to aid the escape of Jews and other intended victims of the Nazi and Japanese executioner" and "shall find havens of refuge for them."
President Roosevelt issued this statement about the Holocaust at the urging of the War Refugee Board. Roosevelt had created the Board through Executive Order 9417. Its job was to coordinate governmental and private efforts to rescue those who could still be saved from the Holocaust.
He proclaimed "that none who participate in such acts of savagery shall go unpunished" and that the "United Nations have made it clear that they will pursue the guilty." He stated that the "United States will persevere in its efforts to rescue the victims of brutality of the Nazis and the Japs" vowing that "this Government will use all means at its command to aid the escape of Jews and other intended victims of the Nazi and Japanese executioner" and "shall find havens of refuge for them."
President Roosevelt issued this statement about the Holocaust at the urging of the War Refugee Board. Roosevelt had created the Board through Executive Order 9417. Its job was to coordinate governmental and private efforts to rescue those who could still be saved from the Holocaust.
This primary source comes from the Collection FDR-PPF: Papers as President, President's Personal File.
Full Citation: Draft Statement by the President of the United States Regarding War Crimes; 3/24/1944; PPF 1-F: Press Releases; President's Personal Files, 1933 - 1945; Collection FDR-PPF: Papers as President, President's Personal File; Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/statement-war-crimes, April 1, 2023]Activities that use this document
- U.S. Policy and the Holocaust Refugee Crisis
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