Dr. Philip Auerbach, president of the Restitution Office in Bavaria, today denied a report that his office in Bavaria, today denied a report that his office is responsible for a slowdown of restitution payments to Jews in Germany. His denial was substantiated by Major Abraham S. Hyman, adviser on Jewish affairs to the American High Commissioner in Germany.
Dr. Auerbach revealed that since the Restitution Law went into effect more than 9,000 applications of displaced persons, each of whom has received 500 German marks, have been processed by his office. Between 300 and 400 persons are being taken care of daily, he said, adding that within two days of November 26, the date of publication of the first regulations governing restitution, 40 cases have already been fully settled.
Dr. Auerbach also stressed that under no circumstances can his office be blamed for any delay of Jews desiring to emigrate from Germany to Israel. He stated that if negotiations which were started in New York with a representative of the Jewish Agency are continued in Munich and are successfully concluded, Jewish refugees who are already residing in Israel will receive prefabricated wood homes from Germany in place of blocked German marks owed them.
Major Hyman, in a statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, declared that Dr. Auerbach “has been very aggressive in the implementation of the General Claims Law in Bavaria” and it is not within his discretion to accelerate the payments of the amounts due under the law.
“Actually,” Major Hyman said, “the law in each of the states provides for staggered payment of sums due, and in making the initial payment of 500 German marks for the deprivation of liberty, Dr. Auerbach was, as an official of the Bavarian Government, paying the limit that the law in its implementary regulations permitted.” The adviser on Jewish Affairs added that he understands that within the past several days Dr. Auerbach has been authorized to pay up to 3,000 German marks to claimants who are departing immediately from Germany for Israel and other countries.
Major Hyman emphasized that except in isolated instances, most people who plan to go to Israel are not affected by the expectation of receiving money under the Restitution Law and will not postpone their departure. “Emigration to Israel has slowed down principally because of report emanating from Israel that newcomers have to endure hardships because of lack of housing,” Major Hyman stated.
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.
