Jews from Poland, Slovakia, Rumania, Hungary Flock to U.S. Zones in Germany and Austria

Without official permission of any government, and in spite of the numerous Allied military checking points and border controls along the roads, there is a substantial movement of Jews from countries in Eastern and Central Europe to the American zones in Germany and in Austria.

A correspondent of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency was told today that more than 4,000 Jews had “illegally entered the American zones.” The majority of them are from Poland and Slovakia. Some are from Hungary and Rumania.

Many of these Jews were released from camps in Germany only a few weeks ago and repatriated to their native lands. Quite often they did not find any relatives there and discovered that their homes and businesses had been destroyed or could not be regained. In some cases continued anti-Semitism discouraged all their hopes of taking up life anew in their native lands.

Practically all these homeless wanderers are intent on emigrating from Europe, preferably to Palestine. Several hundred of them have already entered Italy where they believe transport is most readily available. What to do with these unfortunate people is a considerable problem for the U.S. military authorities who, generally, do not have sufficient supplies to feed the influx. The burden in such cases falls upon the Joint Distribution Committee.

Recently 400 Jews arrived from Poland without identity or ration cards which they intentionally destroyed. The military authorities had no food for them. Luckily the J.D.C. had a warehouse nearby from which emergency rations could be drawn. Efforts are being made by the authorities, in cooperation with the J.D.C., to get these Jews into suitable camps where they can be cared for until orderly emigration will be possible. Meanwhile, more Jews from East European countries are expected since there is no effective way of stopping them from moving into the American zones.