The League of Nations Union today informed Foreign Minister Anthony Eden, Home Secretary Herbert Morrison and Colonial Minister Capt. Oliver Stanley that it heartily supports the motion recently introduced in both houses of Parliament demanding immediate action to save the Jews in Nazi-controlled countries.
At the same time, Eleanor Rathbone, Independent Conservative M.P., writing in the News Chronicle, leading London newspaper, deplores the lack of activity on the part of the Government. She stresses the fact that despite the appeals by churches, trade unions, other groups and motions in Parliament, the only concrete step taken so far was Capt. Stanley’s announcement that 30,000 Jewish immigrants could still be admitted to Palestine under the terms of the MacDonald White Paper of 1939. Immigration regulations remain unchanged, Miss Rathbone charges, and visas are being refused to refugees whose sons are fighting with the British forces. She suggests that since England and America control most of the world’s shipping, they are in a position to promise neutral nations post-war relief from the burden of the refugees if they will admit them now.
A similar appeal to the British Government to cooperate with Allied and neutral nations to secure immediate sanctuary for the refugees was made at a mass-meeting in the town hall of Sheffield. The Lord Mayer of the city, the Bishop of Sheffield and Lady Snowden participated. The Mayor and the Bishop also wrote to Prime Minister Churchill demanding that as many Jews as possible be saved.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
