War Has Not Decreased Opportunities to Aid Refugees, Emerson Holds at Luncheon Here

Hope that the refugee problem would yet be solved, because of the efforts of men of good will and the will to freedom of the exiles, was held out today by speakers at a luncheon in honor of Lord Winterton and Sir Herbert Emerson, chairman and director of the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees, given by American Vice-Chairman Myron C. Taylor at the Hotel Waldorf Astoria.

The luncheon was attended by about 100 prominent persons from many walks of life. The speakers were Mr. Taylor, Lord Winterton, Sir Herbert, Governor Herbert H. Lehman and former Justice Joseph M. Proskauer.

Sir Herbert estimated that 400,000 persons had been driven out of Germany since 1933, of whom about 160,000 were still in Europe. The war, he said, upset plans for refugee aid, but did not decrease the opportunities for assistance.

Declaring that finance was one of the most important problems in refugee aid, Sir Herbert stressed that it would be necessary to look to a greater extent to neutral countries because Britain and France were engaged in war. He reported that a total of $45,000,000 had been made available for refugee aid, nearly all of it privately contributed, and another 10 to 12 millions in kind or services.

Lord Winterton declared that a people or race could not be crushed by action from without so long as it maintained its inner strength.

Taylor praised the “ready response” which had been forthcoming to the refugees’ needs and noted a “better understanding” and “greater cooperation” in relief to the exiles.

Governor Lehman praised the efforts of governments and individuals in behalf of the refugees. He declared that the American people would try to do their full duty in assisting the victims of the present war.