Ben L. Rose to Eleanor Roosevelt
Ben L. Rose to Eleanor Roosevelt
4 September 1945 [Germany]
Dear Mrs. Roosevelt:
My heart was saddened by your attack on Pastor Martin Niemoeller in your column, "My Day", of August 8, 1945. It was a surprise to me that you, whose eyes are usually so clear of prejudice, were this time so blinded by it.
On several occasions recently I have had [the] opportunity to talk with Pastor Martin Niemoeller. A more humble Christian man one will hardly find. He and I disagree on several subjects, such as: separation of Church and State, but one cannot but be impressed by his sincere love of Jesus Christ. Let that never be doubted.
In your column you quoted one of Pastor Niemoeller's statements to the effect, "The German people like to be governed, not to mingle in politics, etc. etc.". If you do not agree with that statement you simply do not know the German people today. A more true statement of the German attitude today could hardly be worded. I have shown the statement to any number of my fellow officers (and we have been in Germany since September of last year, long enough to know a little about the German people) and they agree that it is absolutely true. I have shown the statement to a number of my Dutch friends (who lived under the German rule of their country, and who, by the way, hate with consuming passion anything that is German) and even they agree that the statement is absolutely true. How often Germans have said to me when I accused them of allowing Hitler to come to power, "Well, we must have a leader". Whether Pastor Niemoeller's statement sounds like Hitler or not, the statement is still true. Should one refrain from speaking the truth simply because it sounds like Hitler?
To answer the opinions expressed in your article which I think do Pastor Niemoeller great injustice, I am enclosing a copy of an interview which I had with him a few days ago. One or two of my questions were prompted by your article.11
It is a rule in our country that a man is not condemned without first being given a hearing. I feel that you have condemned and done great hurt to the name of a great Christian without first giving him a hearing.
Sincerely,
Ben L. Rose
TLS AERP, FDRL
ER remained unswayed by Rose's argument.