Relief Agencies Can Earmark Contributions to Unrra for Jewish War Victims in Europe

Jewish Welfare Agencies will be able to specify that their relief funds be used to help Jewish war victims in Europe, under an interpretation offered today by Assistant Secretary of State Dean Acheson, of a decision taken at the first meeting of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.

Acheson, who represents the United States on UNRRA’s council, has been making a detailed explanation of the policies laid down in Atlantic City to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives. The Committee is considering United States participation in UNRRA. One of UNRRA’s decisions was to accept contributions from non-governmental sources.

Rep. W. O. Burgin, North Carolina Democrat, asked Acheson whether the contributors could specify the group to benefit from their donations. Acheson replied: “Yes, unless the group is so narrow as to be impossible to far as administration is concerned. We could not, for instance, single out twelve to thirteen-year-old Greek girls.”

Rep. John M. Vorys, Ohio Republican, asked whether such contributions would be administered on the principles of the community chest, which uses donations for specific causes, but ensures that distribution is according to need. Acheson replied that “a fair and equitable distribution of relief services” would be necessary. Specific Jewish contributions were not mentioned in the discussion.

One UNRRA resolution provides that “in determining the relative needs of the population there may be taken into account the diverse needs caused by discriminatory treatment by the enemy during its occupation of the area.” Acheson also told the committee that UNRRA would care for refugees until they are repatriated, help in repatriation, and help after repatriation. The Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees, he said, would take care of sending to new homes those refugees who cannot or do not want to go back.