An unusual scene took place in the House of Commons today when every member of the House rose and stood in silence for one minute to commemorate the Jews massacred by the Nazis in Europe. This demonstration followed the reading by Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden of the text of the joint declaration issued by the United States, Britain, Russia, Fighting French and eight other governments of the United Nations condemning Germany’s “bestial policy of cold-blooded extermination” of Jews and pledging that those responsible “will not escape retribution.”
Prior to reading the declaration, Mr. Eden made the following announcement:
“I regret to have to inform the House that reliable reports have recently reached the Government regarding the barbarous and inhuman treatment to which Jews are subjected in German-occupied Europe. The Government has, in particular, received a note from the Polish Government which was also communicated to other members of the United Nations, and has at the same time received publicity in the press. The British Cabinet has, as a result, been in consultation with the United States, Soviet and other Allied Governments directly concerned, and I should like to take this opportunity to communicate to the House the full text of the declaration which is being made public today in London, Moscow and Washington.
Members of the House of Commons, after observing the minute of silence, asked the Foreign Secretary whether something can be done to save some of the remaining Jews in Nazi-held countries and also whether immediate relief measures could be taken for those tortured by the Nazis. Eden replied that arrangements have been made by the Allied Governments to secure the of some of the Nazi victims. “There are immense difficulties standing in the way, but the Allies are doing all they can to alleviate the horrors,” he declared. He also emphasized that there are great difficulties in getting the neutral and non-belligerent countries to admit Jewish refugees.
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