Jewish Position in France Worsens, Jews Flee to Italian-occupied Areas

Life is daily becoming more difficult for Jews in France, it was reported here today by the American Joint Distribution Committee on the basis of information received from Lisbon. Hostility, previously concentrated upon foreign-born Jews has, since the deportation or imprisonment of most of this group, been transferred to the native Jewish population. As a result of this increased pressure, it has become almost impossible for some 110,000 Jews in formerly unoccupied France to maintain themselves, and their appeals for assistance are flooding relief agencies.

“Reports that Jews in Italian-occupied areas were being better treated than those in areas under Nazi occupation resulted in an extensive Jewish migration to these areas,” the J.D.C. statement says. “Being unable to carry baggage or other personal possessions with them, large numbers of these persons have had to turn to Jewish relief organizations for help.” Welfare organizations in France associated with the Joint Distribution Committee before the German occupation are continuing to function, principally in the former unoccupied zone. Their work is, however, becoming constantly more difficult, not only because of limitations placed on them by the authorities but because of greatly increased needs.

The OSE Society, a French welfare agency, through with the Joint Distribution Committee had previously carried on its child-care activities in France, now has approximately 6,000 children in its charge. Among these are thousands for whom immigration to the United States and Canada had been arranged. This emigration came to an abrupt halt with the German occupation of France after the Allied landings in North Africa. It is reported that representatives of the Argentine government are endeavoring to arrange for the emigration of 1,000 of these children to the Argentine, and Swiss relief agencies have been for some time negotiating with the French authorities for the transfer of another thousand to Swiss territory for the duration of the war.