JEWS OFF PORT DE BOUC

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25253, 4 August 1947, Page 7

JEWS OFF PORT DE BOUC

Reported Decision By Britain

DEPORTATION TO \ TROPICS

(Rec. 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, August 2. The diplomatic correspondent of Reuters says that the British Cabinet has decided that any Jewish illegal immigrants aboard the three British transports off Port de Bouc who do not disembark there within 48 hours will be deported to a distant tropical territory under British control.

A Foreign Office spokesman, the correspondent adds, said that Britain had agreed to allow the International Red Cross to send doctors aboard the transports.

Earlier, the Paris correspondent of “The Times” said that the Jews had been told of the decision that, whatever else happened, they would not be sent to Cyprus or Palestine. “Whether this will affect their attitude,” he said, “remains to be seen. There are reasons to suppose that the majority -would be willing to disembark, but they are subject to pressure from a determined minority.” Yesterday, the number of immigrants to have lelt the ships at Port de Bouc had risen to 70, with 20 more expected to land. Most of those who left the ships needed medical attention. Port officials then said that a decision in London or Paris, or both, was awaited before any plans were made for the ships’ departure and eventual destination.

Unconfirmed reports said that the ships were taking on food for a long voyage. In New York to-day, three local Zionist leaders said that at least six of the ships used to transport Jews to Palestine had been purchased in the Baltimore area with local funds. The ships had been purchased through a corporation established for the purpose. Among the ships was the Exodus 1947. which was captured by British warships off Palestine while trying to land illegal immigrants. It had been purchased and repaired at a cost between 125.000 and 130.000 dollars. The nucleus of the crews serving aboard the immigrant ships was American, but the Americans were joined by other members of the Haganah at the French and Italian ports where the immigrants were taken aboard.

They said that 600 to 800 Americans had enlisted in the Haganah to serve on immigrant ships without pay.