The Demise of a Rescue Mission.

More sophisticated than Brand's or Schwarz's interrogations was the evaluation of both missions made by Reuben B. Resnik, an AJDC representative in Istanbul who was associated with the WRB's effort in Turkey. Resnik met with Brand upon his arrival in Istanbul and also had his connections with members of the Va'ada in Budapest. In his report, prepared at the request of Ambassador Laurence Steinhardt, Resnik – a wise man – expressed his impression that Brand: … was not as sincere and straight-forward as other observers thought him to be. He had ready and direct answers for all questions and was apparently very cooperative and reiterated on several occasions the seriousness with which he was carrying out his mission. It is important … to observe that Brand is not completely without anxiety and fear about his assignment and its possible consequences. This description reflects one who initiated or accepted Laufer's mission, and thereby made the Allies and the Zionists seemingly responsible from then on for the fate of the Hungarian Jews, pending his own personal success in that mission. Resnik mentioned “interviews and conferences” he held with persons “who have had close contact with Mr. Brand during his visit in Istanbul and while he was a resident in Budapest.” Resnik's “possible interpretations” of both missions (he never met Grosz) are rather penetrating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]