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Soviet Willing to Admit Exiles to Biro-bidjan

April 14, 1935
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The settlement of foreign Jews in Biro-Bidjan was discussed here today by Dr. David Lwowitch, leader of the World ORT Organization, which is engaged in readjusting Jews to farm work and artisan-ship, prior to his sailing for the United States on the steamer Paris.

“Foreign Jews will have to be settled in Biro-Bidjan at the expense of foreign Jewish organizations,” Dr. Lwowitch said in a statement to the press.

The ORT leader, who has just returned from a trip to Soviet Russia, held a special conference in Moscow with Peter Smidovitch, vice-president of the Soviet Union, who is in charge of the government office which is engaged in settling Jews on land.

Dr. Lwowitch was told by Smidovitch that the Soviet does not intend to assist financially the settling of Polish and other Jews in the Jewish autonomous district of Biro-Bidjan in Soviet Russia.

“It is, however, ready to admit Jews from abroad into Biro-Bidjan if foreign Jewish organizations will provide for their settlement,” Dr. Lwowitch explained today.

Dr. Lwowitch is sailing to the United States to raise funds in America for the work of the ORT in Soviet Russia and in other countries.

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