J.D.C. Functioning on Wartime Basis

The Joint Distribution Committee is now functioning on a wartime basis and has already made and is continuing to make funds available for the care of war refugees, Morris C. Troper ,J.D.C. European director, disclosed today. The J.D.C. Troper said, is now operating through emergency offices in Amsterdam, Kaunas and on the Rumanian frontier. These offices are directed by Americans in cooperation with local committees in all countries.

In Budapest, the J.D.C.’s Central Committee for Refugees, which was formerly occupied with German and Austrian refugees, is now handling refugees from Poland. The committee is building barracks in frontier towns to house the refugees.

Troper is engaged in a tour of England, Belgium and Holland during which he is conferring with cooperating agencies to complete the wartime setup. He has taken up the question of relief work among Polish Jews during his conferences here.

Troper informed the J.T.A. that after his return to Paris he will proceed to Switzerland to discuss with the International Red Cross the lines along which to proceed for formulation of plans for such work in Poland as conditions may warrant. He pointed out that the problem must be divided between the Russian part and the part in German hands.

In a statement, Troper warned against sporadic attempts of well-meaning but overzealous organizations and individuals to be helpful in a situation which, he said, is going to require a great deal of judgment, planning and financial assistance. He urged the public, particularly those directly concerned, to have full faith and confidence in what recognized organizations have proven, by past performances, they have done and are able to do.

Troper later left for Brussels to participate in a conference convoked by Max Gottschalk, head of the Jewish Refugee Committee, to consider establishment of a new office of the HIAS-ICA Emigration Association in a neutral country to handle the emigration problem.