A secret exodus to the West and South of Rumanian Jews who had recently arrived here started in the middle of August. United States military authorities revealed today. About 3,000 Rumanian Jews crossed the Russian-American demarkation line at the River Enns in one week.
The figures given by the Americans have been confirmed by Jewish sources, who stated that the number of Rumanian Jews decreased from nearly 10,000 a week ago to less than 7,000. The stream of Rumanian Jews halts in the United States zone, but only part of the refugees remain. There is a continuous march to Italy, it was stated. Fear of cold as winter approaches and the difficulty of finding adequate accommodations in Austria are obvious reasons for the exodus but authorities believe that its ultimate objective is Palestine.
On the request of Austria, the Soviet authorities permitted the transfer of 3,000 Rumanian Jews to the United States zone up to the end of last week, but the Americans refused to accept them because the British and French authorities turned down the Austrian demand for admission of some of the Rumanian Jews in their zones. Another reason for the American refusal is that the Austrians failed to provide adequate accommodations in the United States zone.
JTA CORRESPONDENT FINDS INCREASING UNREST IN CAMPS
A tour of the Jewish DP camps in the U.S. zone during the past few days by a JTA correspondent revealed increasing unrest at the prospect of spending another winter in the camps. The unrest has been heightened by the Army’s order merging small camps, in accordance with the economy policy laid down by Congress.
The Jews in the Badgastein Camp refused to go to the Ebelsberg Camp, pointing out that it was a former Nazi concentration camp. They demonstrated against any Army order. About 300 Jews “disappeared” in the last week. The remaining 1,000 DP’s announced that they would resort to passive resistance against the evacuation. Jewish leaders are trying to calm the panicky, but they voice fear that they will be unable to prevent further demonstrations. They have informed the United States military authorities that they will not assume responsibility for peace.
Jewish leaders at Salzburg complained that few United States immigration visas have been issued and that Washington has not authorized the small number provided for by law. On the other hand, Jewish leaders regard the Americans as their sole bulwark against increasing anti-Semitism in Upper Austria and Salzburg. Indications of organized propaganda against the Jews are ascribed to resurgent Nazis. These Nazis spread rumors that the Jews are responsible for infantile paralysis, venereal diseases and food scarcity.
The United States military authorities arrested 20 Austrians in Bad Ischl who were demonstrating and accusing the Jews of responsibility for the cut in the milk ration. The Jews fear that after the withdrawal of the United States troops the Austrian Nazis, who are gradually regaining their former position, will intensify their anti-Semitic propaganda.
Jews who have returned from Palestine and Shanghai regret that they have come back. One hundred and fifty arrived during the weekend from Palestine. Another 130 repatriates arrived from Shanghai.
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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.
