An investigation into the whole field of immigration, which will also cover the question of admission of displaced persons to the United States, was voted by the Senate in the closing hours of the current session, which adjourned at 3:50 A.M. today.
The resolution, as originally introduced by Senator Chapman Revercomb, Republican of West Virginia, called for a full-scale inquiry into the existing immigration laws. Sen. Revercomb stressed that the United States has “no obligation” to admit refugees. However, his resolution was amended and now provides for an investigation by a five-man unit of the Judiciary Committee of all phases of the immigration system, and specifically how the entry of displaced persons would affect the country. The resolution also provides that a report be made on January 10, after Congress is reconvened.
Senator John S. Cooper, Kentucky Republican, replied to Revercomb’s repeated assertions that the U.S. is not obligated to admit some of the refugees by pointing cut that “if we enter upon this investigation without having in mind the possibility and idea that eventually we shall accept some of these persons, then I cannot see the reason or excuse for the investigation, so far as it relates to displaced persons.”
Pointing out that U.S. participation in the International Refugee Organization involves participation in resettlement of the refugees, Sen. Cooper said that he did not see how the U.S. could ask other countries to take them without doing its share. “We have urged Britain to do something about Palestine. I do not think we can speak out of one corner of our mouth in that way, telling-another country to do something about the matter and then, speaking out of the other corner of our mouth, say that we will not take any steps in that direction ourselves.”
Minority Leader Alben Barkley, in a long speech urging passage of the resolution, said he thought that “the peace of the world cannot be preserved when a million or two displaced, distressed, despairing men and women wonder all over the face of the earth trying to discover a place where they may find security.” He expressed regret that legislation to admit DP’s to this country was not passed by Congress in this session.
U.S. PROTECTION FOR “EXODUS 1947” REFUGEES URGED; BRITAIN CRITICIZED
Extension of American protection and assistance to the 4,500 Jewish refugees from the “Exodus” was proposed in the closing hours of the Senate by Senator Edwin Johnson, Democrat of Colorado. Declaring that it is within the power of the President to extend such aid, and in accord with American tradition and precedent, Johnson proposed that President Truman “direct our military and naval establishments in Europe to offer these 4,500 concrete help.”
Senator Dennis Chavez, Democrat of New Mexico, attacked British policy in Palestine, in a speech on the Senate floor.
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