As a result of the visit of a Jewish delegation to Arturo Alessandri Palma, president of Chile, and Luis Salas Romo, foreign minister, Jews in Chile will no longer encounter certain difficulties they formerly faced in becoming citizens or in sending for relatives.
Dr. M. Weinstein, president of the local Jewish immigrant aid society, as head of the delegation, related to the president and S. Romo a number of cases in which Jews were refused immigration permits for their wives and children and were not admitted to citizenship. The delegation indicated that these incidents were largely due to the influence of Chilean Nazis and that such discrimination violated the provisions of the constitution.
The representation had the desired effect, and Jews who have been in the country five years will now be eligible for citizenship, while the Immigrant Aid Society will be granted immigration permits for the wives and children of local Jews.
President Palma has always been a friend of the Jews, and was instrumental in the ratification of the Palestine mandate at San Remo. When the unanimous vote necessary seemed endangered by a negative vote from the Brazilian delegate, President Palma cabled the Chilean representative at Geneva, Miguel Cruchaga Tocornal, to exert his influence for a positive vote.
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