Japanese Govt. Grants Facilities for Jewish Emigrants at Hias’ Request

Jewish emigrants stranded in the Orient, and whose ultimate destination is one of the South American Republies, will no longer have to make the hazardous trip through war-ridden China, for the purpose of securing proper visas. This announcement is made by the Hebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society of America. The Hias has been informed by cable that its bureau in Harbin has concluded negotiations with the Japanese Government which will greatly facilitate Jewish immigration from Siberia and the Far East to South America.

Owing to the fact that none of the South American Republics have consular representatives at Harbin, it has been necessary for prospective immigrants to proceed to Japan to secure the necessary visas. This has been practically impossible due to the refusal of the Japanese consul-general at Harbin to issue transit-visas unless they were in posession of visas for the country to which they contemplated immigrating. The immigrants were therefore compelled to go via Shanghai. The immigrants’ only alternative was to procure special Japanese visas valid only if its holder could prove that he possessed at least 1,500 yen, approximately $750.

The Japanese government has now authorized the issuance of transitvisas to such Jewish emigrants who will be certified by the Harbin Bureau of Hias as being the holders of transportation to South America.

Prof. Simon Dubnow, noted Jewish historian, has written to John L. Bernstein, chairman of the Hias Campaign for $500,000 strongly endorsing the effort of that organization in conjunction with the Ica and Emigdirekt to facilitate the emigration of East European Jews to South American countries.

The Progressive Order of the West, of which Samuel Epstein is Grand Master, and the Independent Order Free Sons of Israel have endorsed the Hias campaign.

The New York Women’s Branch of the Union of Jewish Congregations of America has announced that its members will be pleased to have as their guests on the first and second nights of Passover students from out of town who cannot be with their families for the Passover service. All students interested may apply to Miss Zelda Gross, chairman, Collegiate Committee of the Women’s Branch of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, 50 West 77th Street, New York City.