Although the news from Budapest was that anti- Semitism was widespread, why was it that "optimism soon revived" -- pg 7? Why was it that "the optimists rejoiced" even three days after the German soldiers appeared in Sighet (page 7)?

Most people didn't think the Germans would proceed to their area, "The Germans won't get as far as this. They'll stay in Budapest. There are strategic and political reasons…"

Initially the Germans were polite and non threatening,

"However, our first impressions of the Germans were most reassuring. The officers were billeted in private houses, even in the homes of Jews. Their attitude toward their hosts was distant, but polite. They never demanded the impossible, made no unpleasant comments, and even smiled occasionally at the mistress of the house. One German officer lived in the house opposite ours. He had a room with the Kahn family. They said he was a charming man-calm, likable, polite, and sympathetic."

This was of course to lure the Jews into a false sense of security.