Paris.
A new departure in Jewish colonization methods—close settlement in Jewish towns and villages—is advocated by the Emcol, the new Jewish organization for emigrations colonizations work with which the Emigdirekt recently merged.
The plans and program of the new organization were revealed here recently at a conference of people interested in colonization activities. Dr. J. Brutzkus, chairman of Emcol, who presided at the conference, outlined the present conditions under which the work must be undertaken and the procedure which the new organization intends to follow.
Pointing out that the situation in Germany and Eastern Europe has resulted in the need to transport hundreds of thousands of Jews to new homes, at a time when the old countries of immigration—the United States, Canada, the Argentine, Brazil, South Africa and Australia—are almost completely closed to immigrants, and other countries, such as Mexico and Cuba, are unwilling to absorb more Jews, Dr. Brutzkus explained that one of the organization’s primary activities would have to be exploratory, to find new countries to which Jews may emigrate and to study new methods of settling Jewish immigrants to the greatest advantage within the limited possibilities.
“In order to create for Jews a new home, and place for work, we must either find new countries where there are still possibilities for the immigration of traders and artisans or to change entirely the methods of emigration and to begin to settle whole Jewish villages and towns,” Dr. Brutzkus explained.
“The forms of emigration which have been employed in the past have now become impossible in the old countries and can be carried on only to a limited extent in a few of the new countries.
“These places, like Colombia, Venezuela, Equador, Peru, Bolivia and a few colonies in South Africa, must now be explored. Prospects in this connection, however, are not very large.
“Much more can be achieved by changing the methods of emigration—by settling Jews in agriculture, in special villages and in industry in specific towns and townships.
“Only by this new method can the arousing of resistance among the local population be avoided. And it will enable us to transplant large masses into the sparsely populated countries.
“Proceeding from this point of view, the Emcol has imposed upon itself the following tasks:
“(1). To investigate systematically various new countries which will admit emigrants.
“(2). To inquire into the work of the governments and of Jewish and non-Jewish private societies which are engaged in emigration and colonization work.
“(4). To publish the materials relating to these matters.
“(4). To make clear the situation of the Jewish emigrants in the various countries, and to take measures for the protection of their political and economic rights.
“(5). To assist the emigrants to create political and economic institution for self-aid work.
“(6). To conduct negotiations with various governments, the League of Nations and other institutions with regard to facilities of Jewish emigration and colonization.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
