Leading Jewish Groups Ask U.S. to Secure Change in Palestine Immigration Laws

A delegation representing four national Jewish organizations today asked Acting Secretary of State Summer Welles to use the good offices of the United States to obtain from the Palestine Administration a modification of its policy toward the admission of Jewish refugees. His attention was also called to the tragedy of the S.S. Struma, which sank recently in the Black Sea with a loss of 768 lives after being refused admission to Palestine.

The delegation was composed of representatives of the American Emergency Committee for Zionist Affairs, the American Jewish Committee, Mrs. David de Sola Pool, Mr. Louis Lipsky, Mr. Maurice Wertheim, Dr. Stephen S. Wise and Mr. Henry Monsky. The delegation handed Mr. Welles the following official memorandum:

“The undersigned are official representatives of the American Emergency Committee for Zionist Affairs, the American Jewish Committee, the American Jewish Congress and the B’nai B’rith, with whom are associated the overwhelming majority of the national organizations and organized communities of American Jewish citizens. In their behalf, we respectfully address ourselves to our State Department and draw its attention to events that have caused us grave concern and distress.

“The circumstances that have led us to direct ourselves to you and that have been climaxed by the sinking of the Struma and the tragic loss of 768 lives, are detailed in the attached memorandum. These circumstances make it indubitably clear that the policies pursued by the present Palestine Administration and the Colonial Office of the British Government, in regard to the admission of refugees and their internment, are creating unparalleled tragedy and suffering for Jewish refugees from the Nazi terror. These policies have already led to disasters that have cost the lives of hundreds of people and threaten, if continued, to bring death and injury to many thousands more.

“We believe these policies to be inconsistent with the ideals of humanity and justice as expressed by our Government in the Atlantic Charter and with the obligations assumed by Great Britain in the Balfour Declaration and in the Mandate for Palestine, Which provides as follows: ‘Article 6 — The Administration of Palestine, while ensuring that the rights and position of other sections of the population are not prejudiced, shall facilitate Jewish immigration under suitable conditions.’

“We therefore urge our Government to use its good offices to bring about a modification of policies and practices, suggested in the accompanying memorandum, as will prevent the recurrence of any further such tragedies and assure admission to Palestine of these victims of Nazi terror.”