American Jewish Committee Outlines Recommendations for Austrian, German Treaties

The American Jewish Committee’s three-day 40th annual meeting opened today at the Hotel Commodore with discussions by its Peace Problems Committee of suggested clauses for inclusion in the peace treaties with Germany and Austria.

Other subjects discussed were the statue of Palestine, creation of an international restitution commission to secure return of Jewish property in Germany and Austria, immigration to the United States of a fair share of displaced persons and the reintegration of Jews into European life.

The Peace Problems Committee, which was under the chairmanship of former Gov. Herbert H. Lehman, adopted the following recommendations:

1. The American Jewish Committee should participate in any Jewish trustes organization set up to prosecute claims for and administer property of heirless Jews and extinct Jewish communal organizations in Germany.

2. The immediate and full restitution of property to victims of the Nazis throughout Europe and compensation for property which cannot be restored. In the event of a further reparations settlement with Germany, funds should be set aside for resettlement of victims of the Nazis.

3. A reconstruction program for displaced persons in Germany should be undertaken, to include vocational training and creation of work opportunities. Governments which are chief contributors to UNRRA should take immediate measures to continue to aid DP victims of Nazis and Fascists.

The Peace Problems Committee was divided into three sub-committees–one on Palestine, presided over by Judge Horace Stern of Philadelphia; the second, on restoration of rights and migration, presided over by Professor Herman A. Gray of the New York University Law School; and the third, on the protection of human rights, presided over by Professor J. Salwyn Schapiro of the College of the City of New York.