occupied countries, it was announced in the House of Lords today.
The announcement was made following a stirring appeal voiced in the upper chamber by the Archbishop of Canterbury, suggesting that the British Government take urgent action to save Jews from Nazi extermination. He urged that Germany be approached through a neutral government with the proposal that it permit Jews to leave Nazi-held territory on a monthly quota. He also suggested that the British consuls in Turkey, Spain, Portugal and other neutral countries be authorized to issue visas to refugees at their own discretion.
Viscount Cranborne, speaking in behalf of the Government, announced that not only have the governments of the United States and of Britain reached an understanding in Washington on the program which will be discussed at the forthcoming British-American conference on refugee problems, but that they expect the collaboration also of other members of the United Nations as well as of neutral governments. The place where the British-American conference will be held as well as the names of the participants will be announced shortly, Viscount Cranborne stated.
WANTS NEUTRAL SHIPS CHARTERED TO CARRY REFUGEES TO AMERICA
The Archbishop of Canterbury suggested in his appeal that neutral ships be chartered to carry the refugees from Nazi-held territories to American ports or to British overseas colonies. He also suggested that ships coming from America with troops and supplies could carry refugees on their return voyage. At the same time he recommended that a special high commissioner be appointed to supervise the work of rescuing European Jews.
Viscount Cranborne replied that it would be a mistake to over-emphasize the Jewish side of the refugee tragedy because Czechs, Poles and people of other nationalities are suffering equally. The House of Lords adopted a motion expressing fullest support of the Government in any steps it may take to aid Jews and other victims in occupied countries.
The Archbishop of Canterbury read to the House a message received by wire from a country bordering on Germany, revealing that more than 15,000 Berlin Jews were sent to internment camps between February 26 and March 2, and all the remaining Jews were to be deported from the Reich by March 15. The message also stated that 17,000 Jews were deported from Holland during the month of January.
The importance of facilitating the emigration of the 4,000 Jewish refugee children and 500 adults from Bulgaria to Palestine was particularly stressed by the Archbishop in his address. He also demanded that Britain ease its immigration regulations so as to allow the entry “of all who are able to come, especially the parents of soldiers now serving in the British forces.”
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