Financial Aid to French Colonies Project Held Possibility

Proposed colonization by Jews of four French colonies might ultimately win the financial assistance of the Government it was disclosed today. The aid, however, would be conditional, on the Government’s being “absolutely certain” that the colonization enterprise was headed for success.

This was made clear during Saturday’s press interview with Colonial Minister Marius Moutet, in which Jews were invited to colonize Madagascar, French Guiana, New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. The statement was made in answer to questions following M. Moutet’s reading of a prepared declaration on the subject.

Further details of the interview, (published in outline in yesterday’s news bulletin) follow:

Cautioning against exaggeration of the possibilities which the French colonies offer for mass immigration, M. Moutet declared: “I know Jews are a good element for colonization and are very adaptable for agricultural work, which is the basis for all colonizing work. They gave remarkable proof of their ability in colonization activities in Palestine.”

He added that attempts to embark on mass settlement might “involve risk of political difficulties similar to those now in evidence in Palestine.

After making allowances for these reservations, which he said were dictated by prudence, M. Moutet expressed the belief that the colonization attempt might be profitably made. He explained that the French Government on the whole was disposed to help people of good will to settle in French colonies and also that the Colonial Governors would assist to the best of their ability in launching the enterprise.

The Colonial Minister, declaring a “careful preliminary investigation” was advisable, offered to put at the disposal of interested Jewish organizations the services of “any expert they might wish.”

“Certain investigations,” he said, “have already been started. I have already received reports from colonial governors, some of them, notably the governor of Madagascar, favorably disposed towards the project, providing we deal with colonists who are to be supported by organizations with sufficient finances.

“Favorable colonization areas might be found in the mountainous regions of Madagascar, or in Now Caledonia and the New Hebrides, or even in French Guiana, where the climate is loss unhealthy than is generally supposed.

“I have asked the head of the political department of my ministry, Gast on Joseph and Cabinet Member M. Boutoillo, to study this question and prepare all documents which those who might start an investigation would like to consult.

“I would be happy if on the one hand I could make a good job of this colonization effort and on the other hand be of real assistance to the people whose plight I know as victims of political and religious passions and racial prejudice, ” M. Moutet concluded.

Replying to a question, the Colonial Minister declared France was not disposed to engage in individual colonization efforts. An indispensable condition for admission as colonists, he stated, is establish of a powerful financial organization, preliminary exploration of the chosen area and careful selection of the future colonists.

Ultimately, he added, the French Government might consider the possibility of financial assistance, but only when “absolutely certain” of the enterprise’s success.