Urges “less Restrictive” U.S. Immigration Policy on Refugees at U.J.A. Parley

Harold L. Ickes, former Secretary of the ##rior, today called on the United States to make its immigration policy “less trictive” and admit a large number of refugees. Mr. Jokes spoke here at a United ##ish Appeal Tri-State conference attended by more than 400 Jewish leaders from ##nsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.Asserting that both the United States and Great Britain have “a distinct ##al obligation” to facilitate Jewish immigration to Palestine, the former Secretary ## the Interior deplored the “meekness” with which the U.S. Government has “sub##ted to the recalcitrance of Great Britain’s” policy on Palestine. Commenting on ##sident Truman’s request for military and financial assistance to Greece and Tur##, Mr. Jokes asked: “If Great Britain can no longer supply the funds to maintain ## tottering monarchy in Greece, how does it happen that money can be found to in ## in tyranny in Palestine#”“Our government seems to feel the urgent obligation to assume certain responsibilities ” towards Greece and Turkey, he added. “If we can make this $400,000,000 investment, we can make an investment in insistence that Great Britain disavow ## illegal and immoral White Paper” and return to the policy of the Balfour Declara##on. “The Jews who have gone to Palestine have made good beyond the fondest hopes civilized peoples everywhere,” Mr. Ickes concluded.

William Rosenweld, national chairman of the U.J.A. and president of the ##ited Service for New Americans, who also spoke at the conference, emphasized that jawish war refugees and displaced persons may enter this country at the rate of ## 000 a month or more in 1947 if we are ready to help these tired, beaten people ad##st to a strange land and strike new roots. They are desperately eager to stand on ##eir own feet, but they need time and individualized care to realize their aspirations,” he added. “For this reason, the financial obligation of U.S.N.A. is a cumu?tive one as new arrivals must be cared for.”

Discussing the global aspects of the U.S.N.A. program, Mr. Rosenwald delared that the Jews of America must “implement American world leadership in finding ## enlightened and constructive solution to the over-all problem of Jewish homelesess. If the newcomers are properly cared for, proposals for the relaxation of immigration barriers will receive favorable support from public opinion,” he said.

“The progressive example of America as predicated on U.S.N.A. assumption of responsibility for needy Jewish newcomes has worldwide significance,” he stated. If through manifold services we demonstrate our capacities to receive and provide for larger numbers, it is bound to affect the immigration thinking of all other civil##zed nations, notably that of Britain in liberalizing her policy of Jewish immigration to Palestine.”