The British Government announced today that a $50,000,000 loan will be granted to Czechoslovakia on condition that it “be applied to meet immediate requirements, particularly relief for refugees and provision of employment for them.”
At the same time, in view of the blacklist of Jews and others drawn up by Sudeten Nazis which the Reich authorities have submitted to Praha with a demand that they be turned over to the Reich, the British Government agreed to permit 300 of those blacklisted to immigrate to England, France will admit an additional 200, and Finland and other countries together 150.
Germany demands, among others, Jewish leaders and members of Parliament who are anti-Nazi. Marie Schmolka, director of the Praha Jewish Refugee Aid Committee, who is here in London to confer with Jewish leaders, has obtained English immigration permits for these Sudeten Jewish anti-Nazis.
Reliable information reaching Jewish organizations here from Praha said that mere foreign support for refugees in Czechoslovakia without emigration would not meet the Government’s approval, as the new Czech Government, under pressure by the Reich, insists on getting rid of the Jews. A plea for immigration possibilities for Sudeten refugees, who include more than 20,000 Jews, was voiced by Miss Schmolka, who pictured to Jewish leaders the despair of refugees ordered to leave Czechoslovakia, but unable to enter other countries.
In addition to the reconstruction loan, the British Government is acting to aid Sudeten refugees by inquiring of the dominions about the possibilities of admitting refugees from Czechoslovakia. It was reliably learned that Australia and New Zealand replied favorably on acceptance of certain categories of Czech refugees. Lord Halifax, British Foreign Secretary, has revealed his intention of approaching Germany and Czechoslovakia on the refugee question.
The announcement of the loan said that “the Czechoslovak representatives stated that in disbursements for this purpose (refugee aid) there will be no discrimination on political or racial grounds.”
Information made available yesterday, before the loan was formally announced, said that the project was discussed at a meeting between British Treasury officials and a Czech financial delegation, at which time it was understood the British proposed earmarking the loan (1) for assistance to refugees within Czechoslovakia, (2) for aiding emigration of refugees, and (3) to facilitate transfer of capital by Jewish and other refugees compelled to leave Czechoslovakia but unable to take out their funds because of the Czech currency laws.
Various aspects of recent European developments were considered last night and today by an in camera meeting of Jewish organizations called by the Board of Deputies of British Jews. Views were exchanged on proposals designed to relieve distress resulting from these developments. The meeting dealt especially with the refugee problem.
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