Swiss Act to Check Refugee Influx; Threaten to Return New Emigres to Reich

Swiss police authorities, confronted with illegal entry of more than 1,000 Jewish refugees from Austria in recent months and especially within the last few weeks, warned tonight that the influx must stop or the emigres would be shipped back to the Nazi Reich.

The problem has grown so serious that a special conference among cantonal police chiefs was held here today to discuss how to cope with it.

It was decided to permit the refugees to remain temporarily on Swiss territory provided they refrained from remunerative activity, since the union of Swiss Jewish communities and other Jewish welfare organizations have promised to care for them, but police were determined to put a stop to further infiltrations.

It was noted at the conference that the German Government has strictly forbidden its border police to “look the other way” when German or Austrian Jews without proper papers try to make their way illegally into Switzerland.

While the refugees are here they will be subjected to strictest surveillance and every effort will be made to facilitate their departure for other countries.

Federal and departmental police throughout the country were advised to reinforce efforts to prevent further illegal entries.

The Canton of St. Gall, particularly the Diepoldsau region near the Austrian border, has received the largest number of Austrian Jews, many of whom have made their way across the frontier under cover of darkness.

Cantonal authorities are considering establishing a camp for emigres near Diepoldsau where the refugees could remain until their ultimate destination was decided.