A resolution urging the Turkish Government to speed up the entry of refugees from the Balkan countries and to establish in Turkey a refugee camp as temporary haven for people escaping from Nazi territory, was introduced today in the House of Representatives by Rep. Sol Bloom.
Earlier, the House Foreign Affairs Committee held public hearings on the resolution urging the House to protest against the persecution of Jews in Hungary and other German-dominated countries, and asking secretary of State Cordel Hull to convey, through appropriate means, the sentiment of the House to the occupied countries. The hearing resulted in unanimous approval of the resolution by the Committee.
In the resolution which Rep. Bloom introduced today with regard to Turkey, the charge is made that full advantage has not been taken of the “great opportunities for the evacuation of refugees from the Balkan countries through Turkey.” The resolution requests the State Department to impress the Turkish Government with the necessity to act “in the interest of humanity” since the United States “has made it clear by its action that it is determined to take all measures within its power to rescue the Jews and other victims of enemy oppression who are in imminent danger of death at the hands of the Nazis.”
The Office of War Information today started deeming to Hungary and other occupied countries in Europe the resolution of the House Foreign Affairs Committee which also pledges post-war punishment of persons guilty of persecuting helpless people.
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