Jewish Agency Asks Writ to Halt Britain from Transporting Exodus Jews to Germany

The Jewish Agency has been granted permission to (?)rve a motion for a writ of habeas corpus on Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin and Colonal Minister Arthur Creech-Jones to prevent the deportation of six of the Exodus refugees to Germany, it was announced here during the week-end. Although the order, which will be argued in court Wednesday, only names six refugees, it is intended as a list case and may halt the Jews at Gibraltar, the first stage of their forced journey.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office has announced that the British Ambassador to France, Alfred Duff Cooper, has asked the French Government to accept the Exodus Jews after they are landed in Germany. If the French agreed, the Jews will be transported through Germany by rail.

The note said that the British Government was “well aware” of the part which (?)manitarian consideration has played in the decision of the French Government not to cooperate in obliging the Jews to disembark at Port de Bouc. It added that Britain Halt confident that, for the same reasons, the French would accept the Jews once they are landed in Germany.

The announcement of the appeal to the French Government was accompanied by a statement to the effect that the British Government trusts that “Jewish leaders will (##)ow seriously consider whether they are justified in continuing to obstruct the return of these illegal immigrants to France.” At the same time, the government reterated the charge that the Exodus Jews refused to debark chiefly because of Zionist pressure.

Meanwhile, many Jewish and non-Jewish groups have appealed to the British Government to reverse its decision. The Manchester and Salford Jewish Council today decided to proclaim a fast day tomorrow and some 45,000 Jews in northern England are expected to participate. Services will be held in all synagogues. The Manchester Labor Party has also protested to the government.