Jules Romains (French novelist and President of International PEN, 1885-1972). Typed Letter Signed, on letterhead of International PEN, written in French, to the President of France [Albert Lebrun].

(HOLOCAUST).

15th November

Paris

1938

A call to action regarding the deplorable situation of the Jews in Germany.

Written to the President of France six days following Kristallnacht, this letter states the position of PEN International - a renowned international writers’ organization founded in 1921 - in regard to the most recent acts of Nazi violence. Jules Romains calls on the President of France to take action, stating: “These atrocities …have no excuse … [they] place us in an atmosphere conjuring the darkest periods of barbarism.” Romains notes that at the last PEN conference, members resolved to facilitate the acquisition of visas for Jewish intellectuals in Germany who fear for their lives. Jules Romains was the president of PEN International from 1936 to 1941. Often nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature, he is most well-known for his 27-volume “Les Hommes de Bonne Volonte” which exemplifies his philosophy of Unanism.