Registration of All Jewish Dp’s in Upper Austria for Compulsory Work to End in March

Registration of all Jewish displaced persons in capper Austria for compulsory labor service is expected to be completed “by the end of this month and no serious difficulties ha7e to date been reported as a result of the registration, as was generally predicted, it was learned here today.

Representatives of the International Refugee Organization, the Joint Distribution Committee and the U, S. Army have expressed gratification at the smoothness with which registration is proceeding in the Salzburg area. To date there have not been any attempts to register the Jewish HP’S in Vienna, since most of these refugees are transients.

Although the total Jewish population of the DP camps in Austria today is Reported to be 22,000, it is difficult to ascertain how many Jews will actually be affected by the compulsory work law. Most estimates, however, run between 6,000 and 8,000.

The needs of the Austrian economy and the skills of the Jewish refugees, it is pointed out here in Jewish circles, are diametrically opposed. The urgent need of the country at the present tine is for skilled agricultural and construction workers, while most of the Jews are either merchants or white collar workers. If an attempt to force the Jews into unskilled labor is made, it is felt here that serious difficulties will arise, since the attitude of the Jews — that of refusing to work for Mia country which they identify with Nazi bestiality — remains steadfast, despite all attempts by Jewish groups here to educate the refugees away from this view.

Many of the refugees are, nonetheless, coming around to the idea that by Working in the Austrian economy, they will be aiding the American Government.The Jews feel that since the U. S. is currently supporting the Austrians at the rate of $30.00 per person monthly, any work which they will contribute, to the Austrian economy will relieve the “burden of the U. S. Government.