The work of the Intergovernmental Committee on refugees assumed new importance today when it was learned in diplomatic quarters here that Russia has agreed to join.
Russia’s decision to become a member of the Committee opens new possibilities for refugee relief and rescue work. Its decision is expected to be announced officially soon by headquarters of the Intergovernmental Committee in London.
(In London, Dr. Ignacy Schwarzbart, Jewish member of the Polish National Council, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency today that the first group of Polish Jews in Russia who have relatives in Australia has been permitted by the Soviet authorities to emigrate to Australia, after their relatives secured Australian visas for them. The group, consisting of 23 persons, has already reached Persia. No details are available as to whether the group consists of Jews born in the part of Poland not claimed by Russia. Refugees born in the sections of pre-war Poland which are claimed by Russia are considered by the Soviet authorities to be Russian citizens.)
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.