First 150 Berlin Jews Will Emigrate to America Next Month; More to Follow

About 150 Berlin Jews will be included in the first shipment of immigrants admitted to the United States under President Truman’s directive, Carlos Warner, American consul at Berlin, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency today.

Despite a shortage of skilled personnel, office equipment and legal documents, which has existed for several months, emigration procedure will be speeded up after the first transport leaves early next month, Warner said. He stated that the full monthly quota would be dispatched to the United States in future months.

The first approved visa from the Berlin office was granted to three-year-old Bela Simons, who was adopted several months ago by American Sgt. Bert Simons. The Sergeant, who is married and lives in Brooklyn, N. Y., found Bela in a Jewish orphanage, and, after a lengthy struggle with military and civilian authorities, succeeded in adopting her. The child will be cared for by an emigrating couple during the trip from Berlin to New York.

Lt. Gen. Lucius D. Clay, director of the American Military Government, said today that Jewish DP’s now employed by the AMG will not be affected by a new order providing that foreign nationals employed by AMG should be replaced by American citizens wherever possible.

Displaced Jews in the camps at Wittenau and Duppel and the Jewish community Council here today expressed thanks to the Jews in the United States and other countries and the Jewish voluntary agencies who helped them observe their first free seder in many years. They decided to send cables to the JDC and other groups thanking them for the food and other services which permitted them to observe the holiday in almost the traditional manner.