THREE MILLION DISPLACED PERSONS STILL IN GERMANY

Grey River Argus, 10 May 1948, Page 3

THREE MILLION DISPLACED PERSONS STILL IN GERMANY

THE PLIGH*r OF UNITED NATIONS (F. Smyth—Reuters Correspondent) BERLIN, (By Airmail). Displaced persons and refugees still in Germany is, almost three years after the end of the war, a tragic reminder of the Nazi scheme of forced labour and subjugation. Many thousands of these workers came to. Germany of their own volition. Many thousands more came under conditions ranging from persuasion to forcible removal from theii’ homes. But in all cases, the impetus was provided by the Nazi plan to enslave them. Also among the DPs are the survivors of one of the greatest crimes ever committed against humanity—the concentration camp victims. Still others are former prisoners of war captured while fighting alongside Allied troops. Approximately 6,000,000 displaced persons were returned from Germany to their homelands in the latter pArt of 1944 and the first seven months of 1945. More than 688,000 were sent home between July 13, 1945 and December 1. 1947. as a resut of intensive repatriation efforts. But an estimated 3,0.00,000 homeless persons/ still remain.

These include Estonians, Lithuanians, Poles, Ukranians, Jews and Yugoslavs, who either can not or will not go back to their u native lands for fear of persecution, because of race, religion nationality or political opinions. It was originally intended that the entire cost of caring for displaced persons should be borne by the. Germans. But the almost complete breakdown of the German economy has shifted the burden ton to the Allies. In line with a economy move that went into effect on October 1. 1947, however, most of the displaced person ration is now drawn from the German pooled resources—which include both indigenous and imported items. Such part of it as is in excess of the indigenous production level is replaced in kind to the German economy by the Preparatory Commission’ of the International Refugee Organisation.

Thus the displaced persons receive a nuantitative, but not qualitative, advantage over the German population. With the limited PCIRO budget, therefore, it has become necessary for' displaced persons assembly centres to become increasingly self-ad-ministered. There are many skills, trades and professions among DPs and, by utilising these, the internal operation of assembly has in many cases passed almost completely to the DPs themselvs. Including those employed in camp administration, the majority of ths employable DPs are engaged in some productive activity. These include Military Government services paid for on the burgomeister payroll, employment by the Army, employment in German ‘industry and self employment. , . . The shortage of works prelects situated near the larger camps however, the lack of transport from the more isolated camps, to industrial centres, the continuing antagonism between Germans and DPs and the necessity of paying displaced persons with Reicnmarks for which relatively can be be bought, are limiting factors affecting the DP work programme. It is obvious, therefore, that the displaced persons situation will not oe solved by providing indefinitely for their care and maintenance. But voluntary repatriation, which accounted for mass movements to all countries of Western Europe and to' the U.S.S.R. in the months immediately following VE Day. has dwindled to almost nothing in the past year. , _ The vast majority of DPs now lefthere object to returning to their own homelands governed by a Power whose programme is alien to their political or religious beliefs Repatriation, therefore, is not a solution. The emphasis is now being placed in resettlement in such countries such as the United States (limited), Belgium, France. Canada, Paraguay the Netherlands. Venezuela and Brazil.

Since the displaced persons programme can be solved only by repatriation or re settlement, it becomes more and more apparent that (1) An energetic, effective resettlement programme on an international basis should be forthcoming. (2) Resettlement and re-establish-ment of refugees and displaced persons should be contemplated only in cases indicated clearly in the International Refugee Organisation constitution.

(3) Genuine refugees and DPs until such time as their repatriation or resettlement and re-establishment is effectively completed, should receive care and assistance as far as is possible and should be given useful employment in order to avoid the antisocial consequences of continued idle* ness.

(4) The expenses of repatriation to the extent practicable should be charged to Germany for persons displaced from countries ocfeupiedi by the Nazis.