Between the Lines

The Jewish tragedy in the Saar again brings to the forefront the question of looking for new territories for Jewish immigration.

We in America, far from the field of anti-Jewish persecutions, do not feel the pressure of the problem of migration on a large scale which European Jewry is now facing. This pressure is, however, strongly felt in European centers, especially in Paris, to which thousands of Jewish refugees are flocking.

It is, therefore, no cause for wonder that several Jewish groups in Paris are now devoting themselves exclusively to the problem of finding territories where Jews would be permitted to immigrate.

SYRIA AND BIRO-BIDJAN

The report that the French government has agreed to permit the settlement of ten thousand Jews in Syria may be disregarded by Zionists, who do not like to see capital flowing from Palestine into Syria. However, the report is true. Furthermore, certain Jews from Alsace Lorraine have already acquired land in Syria, with the hope that Jewish colonization will be started there soon.

Similarly, the migration of foreign Jews to Biro-Bidjan is a problem which cannot be disregarded so easily as the Zionists would like. On the contrary. On the basis of reports made by Dr. Rosen, head of the Agro-Joint, and Dr. Zegelnitsky, head of the ORT, the migration of Jews from Poland and other countries to Biro-Bidjan deserves every encouragement and help.

But in addition to Syria and Biro-Bidjan, certain Jewish leaders in Paris, most of whom have wide and long experience in Jewish emigration and colonization work, are now seriously and stubbornly studying the possibilities of settling Jews in Angola. They believe that Angola can easily absorb thousands of Jews, especially from Germany, from the Saar and from Austria.

ANGOLA, ECUADOR AND BRAZIL

Negotiations with regard to Angola are pending with the Portuguese government and have good chance to succeed. It is extremely possible that a special commission of Jewish leaders and experts soon will be sent to Angola to study, on the spot, possibilities of Jewish settlement there.

Simultaneously there are serious efforts to have Ecuador open her doors for Jewish immigration on a large scale. Similar efforts are also being made for Jewish colonization in Brazil.

Paris, center for thousands of Jewish refugees, is now becoming the center of Jewish “brain trusts” which are trying, seriously and concretely, to find a solution to the much-discussed problem of Jewish emigration. Establishment of the new EMCOL organization in Paris last month is the first practical step in this direction.

PLANS FOR EMCOL

One can easily foresee how the EMCOL organization will soon come to play a very important role in Jewish life. The groups centered around the EMCOL are undertaking relief work in almost every country of Europe. They know the needs of European Jewry. They are working hand in hand with the Joint Distribution Committee of America. Some of them are cooperating in their work with the ICA. They have organizations such as the ORT and Emigdirekt fully behind them.

It would perhaps be advisable that the EMCOL complete a good survey of all the territories where Jews could be settled. The next step would then be to call an international conference of representatives of all Jewish relief organizations. The outcome of such a conference would definitely be beneficial for all those thousands of Jews who consider migration their rescue. Instead of refugees with no prospects, we would then have Jewish emigrants who would, within a few years, discontinue to be a problem to world Jewry, because they would be settled and absorbed in a new life in new countries where they would not face persecution.