Simultaneously with the resumption today in London of the Austrian treaty negotiations by the Big Four deputies, Jewish organizations here announced they would do their utmost to obtain a treaty clause providing for the restitution of property and other wealth lost to those Austrian Jews who succeeded in escaping abroad.
The number of Austrian Jews who succeeded in escaping before the Anschluss has been estimated at 65,000 although it should be underscored that any such estimates are hazardous. The majority of those who did circumvent the Nazis and escaped death ultimately reached the United States, about 30,000 altogether. The second largest group, about 12,000, are in Britain with the others scattered in Latin America and in China-where, incidentally, no visa was required of Jewish refugees.
Property restitution for those who survived the Nazi occupation and the extermination centers has progressed slowly but at least has been accomplished in some degree. But there has been no restitution for those Austrian Jewish refugees who have remained abroad.
Jewish Leaders in Vienna believe that a clause would be inserted in any treaty that may emerge from the London talks guaranteeing the restoration of the property of those Austrian nationals abroad, and that this wealth should not fall forfeit to the state.
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.
