President Truman today urged speedy passage by Congress of special legislation to enable “a substantial number” of displaced persons to enter the United States as immigrants. He did not specify either the Stratton Bill or the measure introduced recently in the Senate by nine Senators providing for the admission of an unspecified number of displaced persons.
In a message to Congress emphasizing “the urgency of this subject,” the President reiterated the “firm” policy of the United States to resist “any proposal to (##) these people back to their former homes by force, where it is evident that their (##)llingness to return is based upon political considerations or fear of persecu(##) Pointing out that the problem is solely an emergency one resulting from the (##) said that “the only civilized course is to enable these people to take new (##) in friendly soil.” He cited the open door policy of certain Western European (##)atin American countries and stated it was the “plain duty” of this country to (##) with other nations in solving this tragic problem.”
“We ourselves should admit a substantial number as immigrants,” declared Mr. (##) “We have not yet been able to do this because our present statutory quotas (##)able to the Eastern European areas from which most of these people come are (##) inadequate for this purpose. Special legislation limited to this particular emergency will therefore be necessary if we are to share with other nations in this enterprise of offering an opportunity for a new life to this people.”
The President reassured Congress that “there is no proposal for a general re(##)n of our immigration policy as now enunciated in our immigration statutes,” nor (##)aiving present prescribed standards for all immigrants “including these dis(##) persons.” Stating that the International Refugee Organization will help to re(##) the DP’s, Mr. Truman explained that it is “only a service organization” unable (##)mpose its will on member countries. Continuance of this organization and our (##)ncial support of its work will be required,” he warned, “as long as the problem (##)ese homeless people remains unsolved.”
SAYS DISPLACED PERSONS SHOULD NOT BE LEFT IN CAMPS INDEFINITELY
In strong terms the President declared that “it is unthinkable that they {SPAN}(##){/SPAN}d be left indefinitely in camps in Europe.” He dismissed the alternative of {SPAN}(##){/SPAN} them out “in Germany into the community of the very people who persecuted {SPAN}(##){/SPAN}.” The relatively small number who would be admitted, he insisted, could be {SPAN}(##){/SPAN}ily absorbed “in the light of the vast numbers of people of all countries that {SPAN}(##){/SPAN}ve usefully assimilated into our national life.”
The President further pointed out that most of the displaced persons “already (##) strong roots in this country–by kinship, religion, or national origin. Their International background clearly indicates that they can quickly become useful members (##)r American communities.” Their kinsmen, he said, already in the United States, (##) been vital factors in developing American life.
Mr. Truman called on Congress to decide the fate of the DP’s. “They live in (##)ding uncertainty of their future,” he said. “Let us join in giving them a chance (##)ecent and self-supporting lives. I urge the Congress to press forward with its (##)ideration of this subject and to pass suitable legislation as speedily as pos(##)e.”
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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.
