The Dominican Republic (San Domingo) has informed the Intergovernmental Refugee Committee of Its willingness to accept a large number of refugees under certain conditions, major Frederick F. Sharles, Dominican Consul-General in London, told the J.T.A. today in an Interview aimed at clarifying reports regarding admission of refugees to the West Indian Republic.
In order to prevent confusion-and difficulties which otherwise might result from large-scale immigration, Major Sharles declared he had submitted to his Government a memorandum outlining his views on the question and suggesting that immigrants be settled on an organized basis in accordance with a prearranged plan. The memorandum indicates the manner in which ordered immigration might be arranged.
Major Sharles said he was hopeful that an agreement could be reached between the Republic and the Intergovernmental Committee regarding admission of refugees. He expressed the opinion that Island was highly suitable for settlement arid that such colonization would be beneficial both to the refugees and to the country.
He asserted that he had discussed the matter with members: of certain. Jewish organizations and had found them interested in the possibilities. Once a definite arrangement is reached between the Government and the Intergovernmental Committee, the Consul-General said, he will be ready to discuss definite schemes with interested organizations. If the projects are acceptable to the Government and the organizations, he will be able to work out details and final arrangements directly with his Government, he said.
The Dominican Republic, with an area of about 20,000 square miles, occupies the eastern portion of the island of Santo Domingo, between Cuba and Puerto Rico. It has a population of more than 1,500,000. The land is very fertile, about 15,500 square miles being cultivable. Principal industries are agriculture and stock-raising, and sugar, rice, corn and tobacco are the chief products. There are also as yet unexploited mineral deposits. The population is a race of mixed European, African end Indian blood, with Spanish as the official language and Roman Catholic as the State religion.
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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.
