Page Three
THE JEWISH NEWS
Friday, April 2, 1943
Shifting of U.S., British
Refugee Parley Assailed
Less Public Pressure Believed Reason for Moving the
Conference to Bermuda; Canada's Prospects of
Collaboration Dimmed by Change
WASHINGTON, (JTA)—Groups concerned with rescu-
ing Jewish and other refugees from Nazi-occupied territories
expressed disappointment this week at the announcement
that the forthcoming Anglo-American refugee conference is
to be held in Bermuda, instead of Ottawa, the site originally
suggested by Secretary of State Hull in his note to the
British government.
These groups feel that the conference will be less subject
to public pressure in Bermuda, since it will be difficult for
delegations and reporters to go there, and also that the shift
lessens the prospects for collaboration by the Canadian gov-
ernment, since a meeting on Canadian soil might have en-
couraged the Dominion to receive refugees.
Mentioned • As Representatives
Among those mentioned as possible representatives at
Bermuda are Myron C. Taylor, President Roosevelt's envoy
to the Vatican and the United States representative on the
Intergovernmental Refugee Committee, and Archbishop
Francis Spellman; and Lord Winterton, British representative
on the intergovernmental committee and its chairman, and
Sir Gerald Campbell, British Minister to the United States.
The State Department was charged this week with re-
stricting immigration of refugees to this country to a far
greater extent than authorized by Congress. It was pointed
out that since 1933 less than 40 per cent of the immigrants
entitled to enter have been granted visas.
HIAS Official Cites Figures
The charges were made by Louis E. Spigler, Washington
representative of the HIAS. He referred to the note delivered
by the secretary of state on February 23 to the British govern-
ment in which the coiiference was suggested, and pointed out
that while 153,774 immigrants can enter annually under the
existing quota, only 51,776 entered during 1940-1941 and
28,781 during 1941-1942. These included 23,737 Jews in the
former year and 10,608 in the latter.
Hull's note stated that 228,964 visas were issued during
1939-1942, and also that "from the advent of the Hitler regime
in 1933 until June 30, 1942, 547,775 visas were issued by
American officers to natives or nationals of the various coun-
tries now dominated by the Axis, the great majority of which
persons were refugees from Nazi persecution."
Ben-Gurion Fears Ghetto
In Palestine After War
Future Is in Grave Danger, He Says, After Studying Pales-
tine Government's Plan for Post-War Reconstruction
Revealed This Week
JERUSALEM, (JTA)—"The Jewish future in Palestine
is in grave danger," was the warning this week of David
Ben-Gurion, chairman of the executive board of the Jewish
Agency for Palestine, in analyzing a plan announced by
the Palestine government for post-war reconstruction.
The Palestine government this week appointed Sir
Douglas Harris, chairman of the Palestine War Supply
Board, as a special commissioner to put the plan into effect
"within a few years."
Details of the plan, as announced by the Palestine high
commissioner, Sir Harold McMichael, provide for reconstruc-
tion in the fields of public works, education, care for sick,
insurance against disabilities or ill health, as well as irriga-
tion, drainage and private building. They also indicate that
the Palestine administration intends to deal with post-war
unemployment and is considering introducing control over
private industries.
Hopes Jews Will Be Ready to Cooperate
The project will be financed either by funds from local
Palestinian sources or by money borrowed in London, the
high commissioner said. He warned that limitations can be
expected in securing funds from London, since countries
which in the present war suffered less than others will also
receive less financial support for post-war reconstruction.
In a broadcast, the high commissioner expressed the
hope that the Jews "doubtless will be ready to cooperate"
in the study of post-war problems. "The Jewish community,"
he said, "has already done much along the lines of social
security. The Arabs are less provided for.
Means Ghetto in "Anglo-Arab State," Ben-Gurion says
Analyzing the plan before a session of the Assefath Han-
ivcharim, the Jewish National Assembly this week, David
Ben-Gurion warned that "the Jewish future in Palestine
is in grave danger." He charged the British government with
plotting to make Palestine "an Anglo-Arabic State with a
Jewish ghetto."
"The gift presented to us in the form of the post-war
reconstruction plan must be considered with great care,"
he said. He expressed resentment at the fact that the high
commissioner did not mention that the Jews have brought
prosperity to the entire country. "Only Jewish administra-
tion is able to carry out the post-war reconstruction of Pales-
tine for the benefit of much-suffering Jewry as well as for
the local population," he declared.
He announced that "the Jews will not cooperate on the
post-war reconstruction plan unless the White Paper is
abolished."
"We shall be compelled to finance reconstruction which
is not for us," Ben-Gurion added. He challenged the part of
the plan dealing with post-war agricultural reconstruction.
"It is erroneous to think," he said, "that there is not suf-
(Continued on Page 5)
MORE WORLD NEWS ON PAGES 5, 11, 13
Weekly Review of the News of the World
(Compiled From Cables of Independent Jewish Press Service)
AMERICA—
PALESTINE—
Jews to become nation after war, says
Sir Norman Angell. .. . Seventeen syna-
gogues attacked by anti-Semitic hoodlums
in Brooklyn. . . . Robert Nathan, chief of
W.P.B. Planning Committee, asks induc-
tion into Army. . . . Moscow radio, heard
here by CBS, says 50,000 Bessarabian Jews
killed. . . . Senator Alben W. Barkley re-
peats pledge of National Home. . . . Under-
secretary Welles replies to Baron Roths-
child on status of North African Jews.
Palestine Jewish press says White Paper
prevents aid of doomed Jews. .. . 72 Jewish
children from Rumania reach Haifa. .. ,
33,000 Jews entered Palestine since begin-
ning of war. . . . Nazi commentator reports
Cracow ghetto liquidated. . . . 450 Jews on
trial for Communist and pro-Allied activi-
ties. . . . Mobilize Slovakian Jews for
forced labor. . . . National Council for
Civil Liberties in London demands out-
lawing of anti-Semitism. .. Soviet Jewish
Sergeant captures captors.
Ginsburg accusation traced to Coughlin
supporter. . . . Americans have tenacity of
Jews, Bullitt tells conference. . . . Private
Jack Levine assigned to paint foreign
battle scenes. . . British-American refugee
talks to be held in Bermuda. . . . 62 rabbis
ordained at Yeshiva College. . . Rep.
Barry supports move to aid Jews. . . .
Washington is "full of Jews," says Rep.
Flannagan. . . . Gen. Hurley appointed
Near East envoy. . . . Sokolsky asks open-
ing of Palestine for Europe's Jews. . . . 42
per cent of Austrian battalion Jewish. . . .
"White Gentiles" defended by Rep. Rank-
in. . . . David K. Niles attacked for aiding
fourth term _drive. . . . U. S. to abolish
Nazi anti-Semitic laws in Germany, is
prediction.
Dr. Chaim Weizmann declares Palestine
to test United Nations' aims at dinner in
honor of Dr. Israel Goldstein. . . . Labor
Zionists adopt three-fold demand at na-
tional convention.
OVERSEAS—
Germans oust Bulgarian official friendly
to Jews. . .. Nazi-occupied countries de-
porting Jews again. . . . Largest ghetto on
Mediterranean established in Salonika. . . .
Oppressed SoNiiet Jews form guerrilla
band. . . . Deportation of refugees in
Spanish Morocco feared. . . . Purim feast
for American Jewish soldiers in England.
. . . Three-fourths of Palestine volunteers
Jewish, says British official. . . . British
Jewry to hold conference on aid to Nazi
victims. . . . Rumania mobilizes Jews for
forced labor. . . Three Jews elected to
Danish Paliament. . . . Gift enables Alger-
ian Jews to bake matzoth. . . . Jewish
students excluded from Bulgarian univer-
sities. . . . Southern Bohemia now Juden-
rein. . .. Endek leaders try to aid anti-
Semitic editors.
THE FORUM OF JEWISH AFFAIRS
of the
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER, JEWISH WELFARE FEDERATION
AND THEIR AFFILIATED AGENCIES
The First of a Series of Lectures and Discussions
On The Theme
The American Jew Looks At
The World of Today and Tomorrow
Tuesday, April 6 at 8:30 P. M.
At the Jewish Community Center
Speaker:
FRANK L. WEIL
President, National Jewish Welfare Board
Mr. Well Will Introduce The Subject With Special Reference to
The Jews of America and the War
MONDAY, APRIL 12, at 8:30 P. M.
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, at 8:30 P. M.
An American Jew Looks
At Europe
The American Jew and
Palestine
Speaker:
Speaker:
Joseph C. Hyman
Dr. James G. Heller
Exec. V-Pres., Joint Distribution Committee
Pres., Central Conference of American Rabbis
SUNDAY, MAY 2, at 8:30 P. M.
— y mposium: The American Jews and the Post-War World
Speakers:
Dr. Jacob Robinson
Charles B. Sherman
Director Inst. of Jewish Affairs,
American Jewish Congress
Field Director
Jewish Labor Committee
Dr. Max Gottschalk
Director Research Inst. on Peace
American Jewish Committee
You And Your Friends Are Invited To Participate In The Entire Series. Admission Free
ALL PROGRAMS AT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER