#noblessoblige

We got interrupted, I assume:

During WW2, the Shanghai International Settlement was a unique, self-governing foreign enclave that became a crucial refuge for tens of thousands of Jewish refugees fleeing Europe, operating as a visa-free haven until Japanese forces occupied it in December 1941, ending its neutrality and bringing its distinct international administration to a close, though its extraterritorial rights formally ended in 1943. 

Before Japanese Occupation
    Neutral Ground: Established by unequal treaties, the Settlement was administered by 

      foreign powers (mainly British/American) and offered a unique escape for Jews and 

      others, with no visas required for entry, unlike other countries.
    Refugee Haven: Known as "Little Vienna" in the Hongkou district, it hosted wealthy 

      Baghdadi Jews, Russian refugees, and a massive influx of Holocaust survivors, 

      supported by local philanthropy.
    Japanese Presence: Even before full occupation, Japanese troops assumed security in the 

     Hongkou area, a district within the Settlement, due to rising anti-Japanese sentiment. 

Japanese Takeover & End of the Settlement
    Pearl Harbor Trigger: Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Japanese 

      troops stormed the Settlement, ending its neutrality and foreign control.
    End of Privileges: The extraterritorial rights of Americans and British were formally 

      terminated in 1943, though the full impact was felt after Japan's surrender in 1945

      Significance

    The Settlement was a complex blend of international finance, refuge, and colonial legacy, 

      transforming from a symbol of foreign power to a battleground and haven during the 

      war.
    It played a vital role in allowing many to escape the Holocaust, making it a significant 

      chapter in Jewish history and WW2 refugee stories

 

Building Slums like The City of London was until the 60ies, by ... Hard Drugs, Greed, Jealousy and Sadism. Places like Meltingpots... with hardly an order.

What you think? Might that be the real story or did someone really cut a hole into a 5.000 years old wall in Jerusalem for a Kaiser from somewhere in Europe??