Council for Judaism Stresses Needs of Jewish Refugees in France

The national conference of the American Council for Judaism opened here today with an address by Clarence L. Coleman Jr., president of the organization, denouncing “Jewish nationalism” and asserting that even “if every Zionist organization closed its doors permanently tomorrow, the divisive ideas and goals of ‘Jewish’ nationalism would still be operative. He expressed the opinion that the ideas of Jewish nationalism “have become firmly entrenched” in the programs of various Jewish organizations in this country.

Henry S. Moyer, president of the Council’s Philanthropic Fund, addressing the conference, reported on his recent trip to France to survey Jewish refugee needs there. He said that the French Government was providing support and employment for some 70, 000 Algerian repatriates, about 100, 000 of whom are Jews. He emphasized that increased aid by relief organizations will be needed when government allowances will cease. “Increased help will be needed for Jews who have left Turisia, Morocco, Egypt, Rumania and several other countries,” he stressed.

Rep. Francis E. Walter (Pennsylvania Democrat), chairman of the House Committee on Immigration and Naturalization–author of the controversial McCarran-Walter Immigration Act–told the conference that he opposed the admission of 50, 000 refugees annually and that there was no need for relaxing the restrictions of the present immigration laws-Jewish and liberal non-Jewish organizations have been requesting relaxation of the present laws which are based on the national origin system. Rep. Walter was unable to deliver his address because of illness, but his prepared speech was read for him at the gathering.