An International Bill of Rights, which would guarantee the fundamental rights of life and liberty to every individual of every race and creed in all countries of the world, should be made an integral part of an international organization of nations, it was stated here last night by Summer Welles, former Under-Secretary of State, addressing the New York chapter of the American Jewish Committee at a dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
Each state becoming a member of the international organization of the United Nations should be placed under “specific and contractual obligations” with regard to observing the provisions of the International Bill of Rights, the violation of which would be penalized, Mr. Welles urged. Enduring world peace depends upon the enforcement of such a Bill of Rights, he said.
With regard to the post-war status of Palestine, Mr. Welles said,” Palestine must become a National Jewish Homeland. It would be my hope that in the settlement soon to be reached, the International Organization would proffer an International Trusteeship over Palestine, to continue until a final solution has been obtained.”
Pointing out that Palestine “involves inescapable problems which must be solved, if world stability is to be achieved in the years to come.” Mr. Welles continued; “I further believe in the possibility of successful and prosperous autonomous Commonwealth of Palestine. I am equally convinced that no lasting nor constructive solution will be found through violence, through force, nor through attempted imposition, I fully share the views expressed by that outstanding and wise statesman, Dr. Weizmann, when he publicly urged the need for a transition period after the war in order to seek by negotiation, and by agreement on the part of all peoples and governments who have legitimate interests in the problem, a solution which will be based on equity, but which will at the same time satisfy the just aspirations of so many of the Jewish people.” Refugees Must be Given Means to Establish Themselves, Welles Says
Outlining a program for post-war rehabilitation of refugees Mr. Welles demanded strengthening of the Intergovernmental Committee for Refugees, Mr. Welles demanded that the refugees who have been driven from their homes in Europe should be enabled to return to them should they so desire. “But, in addition,” he said “they must be granted all necessary guarantees as to their physical safety, once they have gone back. They must also be afforded the means of returning; relief until they are able to support themselves; and help in finding the way in which they can achieve economic security.
“It may well be that the greatest number of refugees will be comprised of countless men and women who have suffered grievously during the war years and who will wish to find new homes beyond the seas. Wherever these new homes may be, the refugees must also be given a fair chance to recover from the horrors to which they have been subjected. Far more than that, they must be given the means to establish themselves in these new homes so that they and their children may once again look forward to a life of security and happiness. There are many countries in the New World and in other regions of the earth which are still largely undeveloped. Their governments realize that desirable immigration will be indispensable in order to develop what are still often largely untouched sources of national prosperity. I am confident that this possibility for resettlement offers to these countries as great an advantage as it should offer the potential immigrants.”
Other speakers at the dinner were Judge Joseph Mr. Proskauer, George Z. Medalie, Judge Irving Lehman and David Sher, officers of the American Jewish Committee
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
