“Tremendous possibilities” for settlement of Jews from Poland and elsewhere in Argentina and other Latin American countries were reported to the second session of the third biennial world conference of Federations of Polish Jews Abroad today by Wolf Orzech, secretary of the South American Federation of Polish Jews.
While governments are disinclined to permit indiscriminate immigration, they are amenable to discussing plans for selective immigration of persons meeting the countries’ economic requirements, Orzech told some 70 delegates from 14 countries meeting at the Hotel Astor.
He urged that definite plans be formulated for coming to an understanding on this problem with the South American governments and expressed the belief that if such plans were consummated large numbers of Jews from Poland could be transplanted to South America within the next few years.
In an interview, Orzech said that Argentina could support three times its present population, that the last census revealed a falling population and that the Argentine Government would be amenable to considering concrete plans for Jewish colonization if they were presented by responsible organizations backed by adequate funds.
“A movement is now afoot in Argentina for opening the doors wide to immigrants,” he said. “It is certain that when responsible organizations with good material prospects will offer concrete plans, there will be possibilities for immigration of many hundreds of Jewish families.”
The necessity of arranging settlement of European Jews in South America and Africa was stressed in an address by Melech Ravitch, of Melbourne, Yiddish writer and traveler, who said the responsibility rested on the 6,000,000 Jews in English-speaking countries to organize effective relief action and arrange for emigration of as many Jews as possible.
Zelig Tygel, executive director of the World Federation of Polish Jews Abroad, said it was necessary to prepare for the time when Poland would be rid of its invaders and Jewish life there would have to be rehabilitated. At the same time, he said, it is necessary to persuade Britain to open the doors of Palestine, which represents “the chief hope of Jewry.”
FERTIG URGES RELIEF ON BROAD BASIS
In a speech late last night at the opening session, Transit Commissioner M. Maldwin Fertig urged the raising of funds for overseas relief. “Let us bear in mind, too, that in the relief that we give we should not confine ourselves entirely to those of our faith or race, that we should extend a generous and magnanimous hand to our fellow humans over their regardless of race or creed,” he said.
The conference, opening with would-be European delegates unable to attend because of the war, adopted a declaration calling on world Jewry to aid in the rehabilitation of the Polish Jews after Poland would be victorious against the “brutal invaders” from Germany.
The declaration made no mention of Soviet Russia. It expressed conviction that “our just cause shall prevail,” spoke of the heroism of Polish Jews in the Republic’s defense and stressed the importance of preparing “to build again the foundations of a normal life” after the present war. It concluded with the call: “Jews of the world: let us close ranks and prepare ourselves for the great moment of peace–which, we are confident, is not so far away as may seem in this tragic hour.”
Benjamin Winter, president of the World Federation, spoke to Polish Ambassador Count Potocki by telephone, in the presence of the conference, after the Ambassador’s address from the Polish Embassy in Washington, and assured him that the Polish Jews of the world would work for the rehabilitation of Poland.
“We are struggling and fighting for the same principles that the people in Poland are fighting for,” Winter told the Ambassador. “Of course, we will remain within the laws of the United States. We believe, as you do, that Poland will rise again. poland may be down but she is far from being out.”
The conference opening was attended by about 200 guests in addition to the delegates. Other speakers were Abraham Goldberg, David Wertheim, Louis Segal, Dr. Jacob Shatzky, Mrs. A.P. Kaplan, Rabbi Jacob Bosniak, Joseph Opotashu, Gershom Bader and Joseph Batoshanski of Uruguay.
Messages of greeting were read from President Roosevelt, Governor Lehman, Postmaster-General James A. Farley and Secretary of Interior Harold L. Ickes.
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