Ica Charged with Responsibility for Cancellation of Canadian Government’s Agreement

Grave charges against the Ica and one of its Canadian representatives in connection with the cancellation by the Canadian Government of its agreement to admit 5,000 Russian Jewish refugees into Canada are made by the Montreal correspondent of the “Jewish Morning Journal” today.

The correspondent asserts that Jewish leaders in Canada have been aware for some time of certain irregularities in connection with the selection and transportation of the refugees to be admitted into Canada. The matter, however, was suppressed because it was felt that any criticism voiced would prove harmful to the cause of the refugees.

It is asserted that after the Ica had aided a certain number of refugees on their way from Roumania to Canada, the organization found the enterprise too expensive and then decided to send to Canada only those refugees who could pay their way in full. There were, however, few refugees in Roumania who could finance their journey. One of the members of the Canadian Ica Committee left for Europe and entered into an agreement with the Holland-American Line, according to which this member was to receive $25.00 for every ticket sold by the Steamship Company to the emigrants proceeding from Europe to Canada.

As the terms of the agreement between the Ica and the Canadian Government granted permission specifically to the Russian Jewish refugees in Roumania, it is alleged that irregularities were committed and refugees stranded in other European countries outside of Roumania were included.

It is further asserted by the correspondent that the matter was taken up by Canadian steamship lines, who resented the fact that the agreement for transportation of the refugees or emigrants was concluded with the Holland-American Line to the disadvantage of the Canadian steamship lines, such as the Canadian Pacific and the Canadian Steamship Line. This protest of the steamship agencies resulted in an order issued several weeks ago by the Canadian Minister of Immigration, stating that whereas permission was granted only to refugees, no more immigrants will be permitted to enter.