Hichem Reports on Aid to Refugees

Henceforth the HICEM—Jewish migration organization—will comprise only the HIAS and the JCA. The HIAS is the Hebrew Sheltering and Immigration Aid Society, while the JCA is the Jewish Colonization Association.

This decision was reached at the general meeting of the HICEM, which has just been held here.

The HIAS and JCA have heretofore always provided alone for the budget of the HICEM, and the decision will in no way modify the normal activity of the HICEM. All the groups previously affiliated with it in the task of protecting Jewish emigrants in transit will continue their connections — but only as collaborators.

MANY GO TO PALESTINE

Of a total of 4,428 refugees from Germany, 1,199 were routed to Palestine, a report on the work accomplished during the first ten months of last year revealed.

A sum of $311,822 disbursed for traveling expenses was put at the disposal of the HICEM, the report continued, by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, the Central British Fund for German Jewry and the JCA.

This money was used only for transportation charges, the funds to meet other expenses being provided by the HIAS and the JCA.

WORK MADE DIFFICULT

Delegates at the meeting were informed that the conditions of migration during the same period became worse in the countries of departure and entry, the economic crisis growing more acute in the former and restrictions more severe in the latter.

In consequence the work of the HICEM was made increasingly difficult and complex. Nevertheless, the emigration movement was maintained at the same level as in 1933.

New applications made to the committees in Eastern Europe, it was disclosed, numbered 10,383. Various authorities were consulted in connection with these applications 10,478 times. Relatives for whom searches were instituted came to a total of 3,122, the quests proving successful in 1,732 cases.

COMMITTEE IN PARAGUAY

Emigrants actually forwarded by the East European committees were 3,901. Thus, during these ten months the HICEM, in the face of serious obstacles, succeeded in transporting a total of 8,239 persons—counting the 4,428 from the Reich.

The report emphasized the considerable efforts made in various lands to effect a relaxation of the restrictions in force which paralyzed migration to a large degree.

A HICEM committee to receive immigrants has been formed in Paraguay. The Chilean and Uruguayan committees and the Barcelona and Madrid committees in Spain have been reorganized and given increased possibilities for action.

BERNSTEIN CHOSEN PRESIDENT

At Praha a committee for the assistance of Jewish emigrants from sub-Carpathian Russia was organized.

The accomplishments as recounted in the report were approved by the delegates. The budget for this year was voted and John L. Bernstein of New York, former president of the HIAS in the United States, was elected president. A board of directors for the year was also chosen.