An emergency program for emigration of several hundred Jews and a long-range program of selective emigration and emigrant training were envisaged today by David J. Schweitzer, European vice-chairman and financial adviser of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.
At the same time, Dr. James Bernstein, of New York, managing director of the HIAS-ICA Emigration Association, warned Jewish leaders that there was no prospect for mass emigration of Austrian Jews under the sponsorship of the HIAS-ICA, but pledged all possible assistance.
Mr. Schweitzer declared:
“The necessary funds will be forthcoming from England and America as soon as the Jewish Community is in a position to administer them. Jewish leaders hope, with the continued cooperation of the authorities, that a small amount of foreign money will be available soon and be put to use. Sufficient funds are at present available to assist several hundred, and perhaps an additional hundred children, to emigrate immediately.
“The program is awaiting the solution of several important problems. Firstly, the community will have to reorganize and to merge the functions previously carried out by several organizations. Secondly, the community is seeking permission to receive funds at a favorable rate of exchange in order to stretch the money brought in to the utmost.
“It is impossible to say at the present time the number that will be assisted to emigrate during the first year. The establishment of contact between the Joint (Distribution Committee) and the Jewish community is important to the immense task ahead.”
It was pointed out here that American and English funds have been arriving since the end of March at the rate of $5,000 weekly, helping to feed 10,000 Jews daily through soup kitchens. Mr. Schweitzer’s presence heartened the Jews, who took his visit as an indication that the pledged foreign support is about to take a complete form.
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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.
