Status of “Staatenlose” is Discussed at Meeting of Refugees in Germany

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency Mail Service)

The Federation of Russian Jews in Germany gave a reception to press representatives last night for the purpose of acquainting the public with the position of the Russian Jewish refugees in Germany and of urging support of the Federation in its relief activity on their behalf. In addition to the press representatives, there were present the leaders of the large relief organizations, including the Joint Distribution Committee, the Hilfsverein der Deutschen Juden, the Hicem (Hias-Ica-Emigdirekt) and the Jewish Workers’ Welfare Organization.

Dr. Jacob Teitel, the president of the Federation, described the growing distress among the Russian-Jewish refugees. The problem of the Russian-Jewish refugees, he said, demands an immediate solution. The number of those driven from their homes by the War and the Revolution is too large for private means to be able to help them. Without the active assistance of the Governments and the participation of the public hundreds of thousands of refugees will be faced with starvation, he declared.

Dr. A. Goldenweiser, the head of the Legal Department of the Federation, said that, according to the figures of the International Labor Office, there are 800,000 Russian refugees. This large mass of people are living under the most abnormal conditions, legal, economic and cultural. They have no permanent right of residence and no right of work. They enjoy only partially the benefits of State social aid. There are almost no openings for them for immigration to other countries. Repatriation to Russia is permitted by the Soviet Government only in very exceptional cases.

There can be a solution of the refugee question in all countries only on the basis of their economic assimilation. The restrictions on the rights of residence, right of work, social rights and freedom of movement for the "Staatenlose" must be modified and in part removed.