Situation of Jews in U.S. Zone in Germany Discussed Before Senate Committee

The situation of the displaced Jews in the American zone in Germany was reported on today by Major General John H. Hilldring, Director of the Civil Affairs Division of the War Department, testifying before the Kilgore subcommittee on war mobilization.

Gen. Hilldring, who was recently appointed an Assistant Secretary of State in charge of occupied areas, outlined the steps taken by the Army and UHRRA “to render the maximum assistance possible” to displaced persons. He said there are approximately 45,000 Jews of all national origins now in the American zone – including some who recently entered from other areas – who are housed in a number of large, separate centers in order to secure the specialized treatment which they need.

“Because these persons are remaining in Germany only temporarily, and because the German economy has been so completely disrupted,” Hilldring said, “it has proved more practicable to keep the groups as communities, rather than to disperse them as individuals. Wherever possible, these persons have been billeted in German homes from which the occupants have been evacuated. In many cases, it has been necessary to accommodate these in barracks.”

While the Jewish displaced persons await the conclusions of the Anglo-American Inquiry Committee, the General stated, “every effort is being made to continue improvement in conditions of food, clothing, housing, education and vocational training.”

Gen. Hilldring praised Judge Simon H. Rifkind, advisor on Jewish Affairs to General Eisenhower and now to General McNarney, “for performance of “a critical task with remarkable skill and understanding.” Suggestions from representatives of the principal American Jewish organizations who visited the zone, for improvement of conditions, have proved “very useful,” he declared. He likewise lauded the “outstanding social and relief work” in the assembly centers by trained workers from various voluntary agencies, “notably the Joint Distribution Committee,” operating under the supervision of UNRRA.

AMERICAN JEWISH CONFERENCE WARNS ON DEMORALIZATION AMONG DISPLACED JEWS

The American Jewish Conference submitted a memorandum to the sub-committee, in which it warns of increasing demoralization among Jewish displaced persons in Germany unless prompt action for their rehabilitation and resettlement is taken. The memorandum expressed the hope that the American authorities in Germany would continue to receive refugees from anti-Semitism in eastern European countries.

The overwhelming majority of Jewish DP’s wish to emigrate to Palestine, the American Jewish Conference stated, stressing the necessity for increased medical care, training and work opportunities “pending their removal to Palestine.” Conveying the substance of information brought from Germany by Dr. Zalman Grinberg, chairman of the council of Liberated Jews of Germany, the memorandum warned of a “wave of suicides and their uncontrollable acts of despair within the next few months “unless positive and immediate action” is initiated.