Jewish Delegation Seeks U.S. Support on Claims Against Germany

Continued support on the part of the U.S. Government for Jewish and Israeli claims against Germany was urged by a Jewish delegation this week-end in a conference with Secretary of State Dean Acheson.

The delegation, which consisted of the praesidium of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, reported to Mr. Acheson on the progress of the German-Jewish reparations talks at The Hague. The Jewish leaders advised the Secretary that a settlement of Jewish claims against Germany can only be reached within the framework of agreements which will satisfy the claims presented by both the Government of Israel and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.

The delegation emphasized the unique moral character of the Jewish claims against Germany which call for the restoration of plundered Jewish property, indemnification to victims of Nazi persecution, and the payment for the rehabilitation of survivors. It stressed that speedy and satisfactory action by the German government is required in order to bring about a settlement of these claims. Any delay would raise serious doubts regarding the value of the declarations of Chancellor Adenauer, who acknowledged that the crimes committed during the Nazi regime impose on the German people the obligation to make amends.

The delegation consisted of Dr. Nahum Goldmann, chairman of the Jewish Agency and presiding officer of the praesidium of the Conference; Jacob Blaustein, president of the American Jewish Committee; Frank Goldman, president of B’nai B’rith; Dr. Israel Goldstein, president of the American Jewish Congress; Adolph Held, chairman of the Jewish Labor Committee, and Moses A. Leavitt, executive vice-chairman of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and chairman of the Conference negotiating team.