JEW REFUGEES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21715, 24 February 1936, Page 15

JEW REFUGEES

POSSIBLE ACTION BY LEAGUE

FLIGHT FROM PERSECUTION IN GERMANY

(FBOU otjb own cobbbbpootent.)

LONDON, January 30.

Already more than 80,000 Jews have left Germany. With the help of public charity and one or two official schemes, many of-them have found a means of livelihood, either on the land in Palestine or in other work elsewhere; says a writer in "The Times." Many of them, however, are still destitute; and it is with the prospect of such destitution before them that thousands of others—Jews and "non-Axyan" Christians—are preparing to leave. It is estimated that 200,000 will, if they can, cross the frontier this year, preferring misery and poverty abroad to misery and persecution at home.

The refugees from Nazi persecution will add to the many thousands from other countries—their number has lately been estimated at a million—who in the years since the War have scattered in various parts of Europe. It was on this whole problem that the league special committee yesterday made its report. One member differs from some of the recommendations, but the other four members, including the British, are united in urging that the league should adopt a stronger policy, that it should set up a permanent organisation for relieving distress among refugees. Public charity, even when directed and co-ordinated by league officials, can no longer cope* alone with the increasing distress. Land must be found unless large numbers of the afflicted are to remain wholly without a home. The task in all its aspects appears formidable. Yet encouragement for the future comes from what has already been done by co-operative effort. It was probably the memory of the great services done by the late Dr. Nansen that led the league committee to suggest that the new organisation should be led by a man of outstanding personality. At one time during the Russian famine of 1921-23 Dr. Nansen was directing the feeding of 12,000,000 people. In the years before the famine he guided the repatriation of Russian and German prisoners, of war—a fearsome task in the chronic state of Russian transport. Distress in Austria immediately after the War was alleviated by public effort in this and other countries. The Assyrians were at last found a home when once the league tackled the problem thoroughly and its full nature became known. Thousands of German Jews have been settled already in Palestine. These problems were not all parallel to the present problem, but they had this in common with it—that human distress cried, as now it cries, for help. The representatives at Geneva may be sure that public opinion in almost all nations will support them in any constructive effort towards a solution. Probably for several months to come the measures can be no more than temporary. They will be none the less deserving because of that; and it may be hoped that at length strips pf territory may be reserved—enquiries -have already been made in South America—where refugees with aptitude for the land may settle. Negotiations for such territory could not be made without the full authority Of the nations assembled at Geneva; and thev would fall through in the eHd unless supported by public opinion and public money.