Faced with the danger of suspension of immigration into Palestine, the half million Jews of Germany who have pinned their chief hopes of emigrating from the Nazi Reich onto the Holy Land, today are considering other overseas countries for settlement and are looking to Australia to provide a new haven of refuge.
Although, after six months of disorders in Palestine, the Jews here have learned to place little credence in the alarmist reports of the official Nazi press, it is generally believed here that regardless of the outcome of the disorders, even if the British Government does not temporarily suspend immigration, settlement in the Holy Land will become more difficult.
These difficulties, it is believed here, will be felt not only by German Jews going to Palestine under the labor schedules but also by the larger number who enter the country in the “capitalist” category by proving possession of $5,000 or more. The latter class are especially affected by the fact that the disorders have interfered with the smooth functioning of the transfer arrangement whereby German Jews exported their capital to Palestine in the form of German goods.
In certain German Jewish circles, the belief is held that a greatly reduced Jewish emigration from the Reich to Palestine may also result in a change in the attitude of the Nazi authorities towards the Zionist movement here. Zionist activities have been tolerated and even encouraged by the authorities because they accelerate the departure of Jews from the country.
With prospects of emigrating to Palestine dimmed by the developments of the last six months, there is an increasing tendency to look to other overseas countries, especially Australia. Reports received here from German Jews who have emigrated to Australia encourage those remaining to look to that country as a new haven for refuge. New possibilities also appear to be opening in Rhodesia.
A great number of German Jews are anxious to proceed to the American continents, particularly Central America where German Jews who emigrated at the advent of the Nazi regime are reported to be doing well.
According to reports received here, Australia has recently modified its immigration regulations and interposes no great difficulties for would-be settlers. Although the Government and the country are not prepared to welcome a mass-immigration, despite the strong sentiment in the country for a greatly increased white, European population, large numbers of individuals are being admitted although the procedure calls for examination of each application for permission to enter the country.
Many German Jews planning to emigrate to South Africa, where several hundred have already found refuge, have been set back by the news that new regulations entering into force on November 1st will sharply restrict immigration into the Union.
The new regulations establish a cash requirement instead of the former requirement of a bond of $500 put up by relatives or friends residing in the country. Since no transfer agreement is in operation between Germany and South Africa prospective emigrants will be unable to take
with them the capital necessary to secure admission to the country. Another obstacle is the fact that the new regulations do not specify the amount of cash an immigrant must possess but leave it to the discretion of the landing officer in each case.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
