Dispatch from the Foreign Minister, Oliveira Salazar, appointing Count Tovar as rapporteur in the disciplinary proceedings against Aristides de Sousa Mendes.
Archives
Additional Protocol to the Luso-Spanish Treaty signed in Lisbon, reiterating the policy of Peninsular neutrality
29 Aug. 1940
Report by Francisco de Paula Brito, Instructor of the disciplinary proceedings, analyzing the possible applicable penalties and, considering the extenuating circumstances due to the “exceptional moral climate”, recommending “suspension of duties and pay ranging from more than 30 to 180 days”.
(AHD – Disciplinary Proceedings against Aristides de Sousa Mendes)
23 Aug. 1940
Letter from Aristides de Sousa Mendes to the Foreign Ministry requesting that an article published in the Lisbon daily Diário de Notícias be appended to his defense. The article, dated 14 August 1940 and entitled “Portugal has always been Christian”, is about “the hospitality shown by Portugal” to foreigners and highlights “the absolute impartiality that characterizes the understanding attitude that has, individually and nationally, inspired our welcome, without preferences for nationalities or reservations of opinions, to all those who harassed by panic or hardship have beaten on our door”.
(AHD – Disciplinary Proceedings against Aristides de Sousa Mendes)
19 Aug. 1940
Deposition of Francisco Calheiros e Meneses, Portuguese Minister in Belgium, witness for the defense in the disciplinary proceedings against Aristides de Sousa Mendes, describing the exodus of thousands of people fleeing from the German invasion and commenting on the moral fortitude required by a civil servant to obey orders instead of listening to the appeals of the victims.
(AHD – Disciplinary Proceedings against Aristides de Sousa Mendes)
12 Aug. 1940
Letter from Gisèle Quittner Allatini to Aristides de Sousa Mendes thanking him for his help in Bordeaux: “I am writing to tell you how deeply admired you are in all the countries where you were consul. You are Portugal’s best propaganda and an honour to your country. All those who know you praise your courage, your great heart, your gentlemanly spirit, and say: if all Portuguese are like Consul General Mendes they are a people of gentlemen and heroes”.
(AHD – Disciplinary Proceedings against Aristides de Sousa Mendes)
10 Aug. 1940
Defense of Aristides de Sousa Mendes in reply to the Charge Note, indicating his witnesses, the diplomats Francisco Calheiros e Meneses, Portuguese Minister in Brussels, Agapito Pedroso Rodrigues, Consular Inspector, and Agnelo Lopes da Cunha Pessoa, Consul (1st class).
(AHD – Disciplinary Proceedings against Aristides de Sousa Mendes)
1 Aug. 1940
Charge note of Aristides de Sousa Mendes presented by the Instructor of the disciplinary proceedings, Francisco de Paula Brito, outlining the facts of the proceedings.