Recent statements in the press emanating from Europe that the Russian government has decided to promote the settlement of individual Jews on the land, among the general peasant population, instead of continuing the colonization of Jews in compact communities, are untrue, declared Joseph C. Hyman, secretary of the American Jewish Joint Agricultural Corporation (Agro-Joint).
“I can state with authority,” said Mr. Hyman, “that the Russian government’s policy remains unchanged. The director of the Agro-Joint, Dr. Joseph Rosen, has just cabled us from Moscow an emphatic denial of the rumors. No such official decision was taken anywhere, according to Dr. Rosen. The policy of settling Jews in the land in compact groups will be continued.”
When asked regarding the conflicting reports of crop failures in the Jewish colonies, Mr. Hyman referred to a message from Dr. Rosen at Moscow, dated July 9. “These reports,” he added, “seem to be based on misinformation. It is true that in the Cherson district the crops have been very poor this year. On the other hand, in the Krivoy-Rog district, the crops are fair and in the Crimea, where the bulk of our new work is being carried on, the crops are good.
“Dr- Rosen and his associate, Dr. Lubarsky.” concluded Mr. Hyman, “are now visiting the Jewish colonies where they are conducting a firsthand survey of the situation.
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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.
