Between the Lines

The project to take all the Jews out of Germany within the next twenty-five years, which was suggested by Dr. George Kareski, the well-known leader of the Berlin Jewish community, may not sound convincing since it is doubtful whether the Nazi regime will last that long. It indicates, however, the present trend of thought in the mind of German Jewry.

Only a few weeks ago leaders of the Berlin Jewish community, in public speeches, emphasized that they still consider themselves citizens of Germany and are not contemplating leaving the country, despite Nazi persecution. The hope was expressed in these speeches that the Jewish situation in Germany would sooner or later improve. The Jews were beginning to adapt themselves to the Nazi rule and lived under the illusion that better times were coming.

THE MEANING OF THIS PLAN

This illusion no longer exists. The last few days have shown that no optimism can be nursed with regard to the Jewish position in Germany. The renewed wave of anti-Jewish propaganda and legislation in Germany now makes it clear even to the most optimistic leaders of German Jewry that the Jews are not wanted in the Reich.

The project suggested by Dr. Kareski, who is one of the most serious and active leaders of German Jewry, is therefore a direct result of the conclusion which Jewish leaders in Germany have reached. Reduced to concrete terms, the plan means that at least 20,000 Jews would be taken out of Germany every year as long as the Nazis remain in power.

RICH EMIGRANTS AND POOR

It must be remembered that during the two years of the Nazi regime, about 60,000 Jews left Germany, 11,000 of whom have returned. This migration included chiefly the more well-to-do elements of German Jewry. It included about 20,000 Jews who entered Palestine as capitalists each with a sum not less than $5,000.

The new wave of Jewish emigration from Germany which Dr. Kareski foresees will consist of elements less fortunately fixed than the refugees from Germany who left the country thus far. The new emigrants will need more relief and attention from world Jewry, firstly, to enable them to leave Germany and secondly, to help them settle in other countries.

World Jewry today is therefore on the eve of a new problem of finding both means and territories for settling large masses of Jewish emigrants from Germany. The question of means is as important as that of territories.

The news yesterday that Emir Abdullah, the ruler of Transjordan, has definitely announced his intention to permit Jewish settlement in Transjordan, opens wide perspectives for Jewish immigration. Similarly, the negotiations now carried on by Dr. Joseph Rosen in Soviet Russia for settling foreign Jews in Biro-Bidjan, are also opening new possibilities for the settlement of those Jews who will now be compelled to leave Germany.

The problem now is how to conduct an organized emigration from Germany and how to finance it. It is with this problem that Dr. Kareski’s project deals. It is to this problem that Jewish leaders not only in Germany but all over the world, as well, will soon have to turn their attention.