Minority people will be afforded tangible and substantial protection by the League of Nations, if a resolution adopted at a session of the subcommittee dealing with the question wins the support of the parent body.
Meeting here today in an atmosphere charged with tense feeling, the iron front put up by Dr. Fried-rich von Keller of Germany against recognizing the Jews as a minority, thereby disqualifying them from League intervention, was broken through by the opposing opinions of the delegates of other nations.
The question of whether the Jews constitute a minority was answered with a definition which was woven into the main resolution, as follows:
“Assembly considers foregoing principles are applicable to all categories of nationals who differ from the majority by race, language and religion.”
Most vigorous was the counteraction of Dr. von Keller when this definitive phraseology, presumed to be virtually a condemnation of the Hitlerite measures against the Jews, was adopted together with the resolution.
FIGHT NAZI STAND
France, England and other countries represented in the subcommittee fought against the German stand claiming the inadmissability of Jewish discrimination. The Italian vote was explained as being simply a vote, and not a condemnation of Hitler or of any other state.
It is the general feeling here that condemnation of Germany’s repressive anti-Jewish measures is being soft-pedalled.
Christian L. Lange of Norway, rapporteur for mandates, submitted a resolution at the sixth commission meeting today expressing the League’s confidence in mandatory power. The resolution also calls upon Great Britain to fulfill her obligations undertaken for the establishment of a Jewish national home, and establish a method for the settlement of refugees and other immigrants who at the present time might possibly create a serious unemployment problem in the Holy Land.
GUARANTEES JEWISH RIGHTS
The general resolution proposed by Dr. Frangulies, Greek jurist and general secretary of the International Diplomatic Academy of Paris, who is acting as representative of the Haitian Republic, does not come up for discussion at the present assembly. This resolution would guarantee Jewish rights in all countries now threatened with anti-Semitism, and protect them on humanitarian grounds.
Although it is claimed that the resolution does not justify modification of the original resolution adopted before the opening session of the League Agenda Committee, it is urged that the Haiti delegate submit his proposals to the committee, since they are intimately related to the minorities question.
A deadlock in the proceedings of the League of Nations subcommittee dealing with the Jewish question was reached here earlier today when the German delegates made a strong attempt to block the debate on the grounds that the League cannot consider the minorities question. Every other delegation at the session has backed the resolution but unanimity is required for final adoption.
Negotiations are going on with the Reich representatives to induce them to pass the resolution, but little headway is expected. The matter will be brought up before tonight’s assembly and is to be submitted to the second committee by Tuesday when it is expected the matter will be decided. The subcommittee’s proposed resolution reads as follows:
“The Assembly having regarded the situation created by the fact that a large number of persons, including members of the Jewish faith, have left Germany and in recent months taken refuge in several countries; considering their presence in those countries constitutes economic, financial and a social problem which can be solved only with international cooperation, makes the following suggestions:
“1. The League Council nominate a High Commission to negotiate and direct such collaboration.
“2. The expenses of the office of the High Commission are to be defrayed out of a fund contributed by private individuals and from other sources.
“3. The Council is urged to approve a sum not exceeding 2,500 ###nes to be a working capital for the Commission.
“4. Those states which are members of the League that have not as yet received many of the refugees will be urged to open their gates to as many refugees as possible, giving them employment when possible.
“5. The League’s Geneva secretary will convey the resolution to states that are not members of the League of Nations, requesting them in behalf of the League to give their assistance in every way possible to the refugees. They are also to be urged to provide employment whenever possible for the refugees and assist the High Commission to the best of their ability.
“6. The Assembly expresses the firm hope that governments and private organizations cooperate in every way with the High Commission for the success of this relief action.”
The names considered for membership on the High Commission were those of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., Sir Austin Chamberlain, former President Herbert Hoover and Christian L. Lange.
Sir Austin told representatives of the press that he has not been approached about the matter. He was unable to say whether he will accept the membership on the Commission.
The Canadian delegates are believed to be opposed to the fifth article of the resolution. Their contention is that it is a broad hint that the United States and indirectly Canada, lower the bars of immigration. Dr. Riddel, Canadian delegate, declared that he will consult with the government before ratifying the resolution.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
