Norman-schacht Talks, Opening Today, to Lay Groundwork for Rublee Negotiations

The discussions between Montagu Norman, governor of the Bank of England, and Dr. Hjalmar Schacht, president of the Reichsbank, which are opening in Berlin tomorrow are expected to establish a tentative financial basis for negotiations next week between representatives of the Intergovernmental Refugee Committee and German economists on an agreement to permit emigrating German Jews to withdraw part of their capital.

George Rublee, director of the Refugee Bureau, and his aides are expected to arrive in Berlin in the middle of next week. The length of their stay will depend largely on the outcome of the preliminary discussions with Dr. Schacht, and in any event it is believed they will not be protracted.

The meeting of the 32 members of the Intergovernmental Committee called for Jan. 26 will be preceded by a meeting of the chairman and vice-chairman of the committee. While Mr. Rublee may not be able to present a definite plan on emigration, it is believed he will at any rate be able to state Germany’s final demands and the price she asks for concessions on emigration.

Meanwhile, it was announced that Earl Grey, Lord Tyrrell, Lord Bearsted and Lord Stamp have accepted the trusteeship of the Earl Baldwin Fund for Refugees, which in the four weeks since its inception has received contributions totalling about $1,250,000.

The Parliamentary Refugee Committee issued a statement declaring it was appealing to the Government to initiate immediate proposals for financial assistance for permanent settlement of refugees by the Intergovernmental Committee or otherwise, to facilitate financial aid to voluntary organizations to establish homes and camps in Great Britain for temporary reception of refugees pending their permanent settlement abroad, and to accord special consideration and assistance to Czech refugees. The statement emphasizes the urgency of international assistance, pointing out that charity is not sufficient.