Premier Paul Ramadier reaffirmed today that France will accept the Exodus deportees and said that they will be allowed to settle in France provisionally and will be cared for and even given suitable employment, if they so desire. He stressed that the decision as to their ultimate fate rested with the refugees and no effort would be made to force them to take up residence in France.
The Premier said that the captain of the Exodus violated maritime law in sailing from Cette. He added that there was no specific agreement between Britain and France on refugees, but only regular international agreements on navigation and transit certificates.
Ramadier said, in reply to a question, that the whole problem of displaced persons, not only Jewish refugees, should be discussed by the United Nations and some decision taken. “It is truly lamentable that these displaced persons who for the most part had been interned seven years in Nazi camps should be still seeking a refuge.” the Premier declared.
Meanwhile, it was learned here that French police have ordered the captains of the freighters Northland and Pahduca, now in Bayonne harbor, not to take any passengers aboard. The vessels have been under French police and British naval surveillance since bunks were installed early this month.
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