It was learned today that German delegates at the League of Nations had agreed to the appointment of a League High Commission for refugees provided that the connection of the League with the question of minorities cease with the appointment. An American, it was also learned, would be on the Commission personnel. Thus submission of its reports by the Commission to the League will cease and open debate over the German Jewish question will be avoided.
Germany’s delegates made this concession at today’s secret meeting of the subcommittee of the second commission. It was learned however that representatives of Holland, France and other nations opposed this compromise, insisting that the League is organically connected with the refugees’ question.
The subcommittee appointed an editorial committee whose purpose will be to edit the new resolution. Further dilution of clauses, it is hoped, will gain the support of Germany.
The sixth commission will probably meet again tomorrow and receive the report entertained by the subcommittee regarding reaffirmation of the 1922 resolution which was adopted Saturday against Germany’s vote. The resolution which had proclaimed the obligation of all League members to maintain the same standard of rights toward minorities embodied in certain special treaties, and had defined a minority group as “nationals who differ from the majority by their race, language and religion,” was opposed by German delegates who did however recognize the first part of the resolution. The German delegates will vote against the resolution, making passage impossible since unanimity is required.
It is expected that Germany will stand alone in opposition to the second point in the resolution, and will not have the support of any other nation. An address and debate with German delegates is anticipated in which Germany’s attitude will be condemned. of minorities at the session of the League of Nations commission when German delegates withdrew the veto which had prevented the adoption of the resolutions dealing with German refugees and minorities.
Negotiations had been under way to dissuade Germany from executing her threat of voting against the refugees’ resolution instead of merely abstaining when it came before the plenary Assembly.
The compromise consisted of an amendment providing for the submission of reports of a Commissioner and Administrative Council for minority groups, to be appointed by the League, to states cooperating. German delegates had feared that if the reports went under consideration of the League Council, there would be constant discussion of the Jewish question, an eventuality which was not relished. The activities of the minorities’ Administrative Council which will be appointed, is also to receive copies of the reports.
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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.
