The Joint Distribution Committee has informed the American political adviser in Austria, John G. Erhardt, that the situation of the Rumanian Jewish refugees in this country has reached an “intolerable” stage, with ##000 refugees streaming into Austria weekly.
Neither the problem of feeding or clothing these people is as urgent as the ##estion of finding adequate housing for them, the J.D.C. office here said. Three refugee camps with a maximum capacity of 2,000 are at present housing 5,500 people, ## was pointed out.According to the J.D.C. director in Austria, Harold Trobe, the American ##gation has shown a deep interest in the problem and has promised to urge the Austrian Government to provide accomodations for the Rumanian Jews. Trobe said that ##th the American legation and the Austrian Government are concerned with the problem but to date they have not made any concrete decisions.Although there are empty barracks in the Russian zone in Austria, J.D.C. is not permitted to carry on its operations there. Austrian authorities have refused to turn over to the J.D.C. certain houses occupied in part by Nazis, on the grounds that this might set off a new wave of anti-Semitic violence.
Meanwhile, the situation here grows worse hourly due to the constant flood of newcomers who, according to physicians, arrive badly undernourished and in extremely poor health, with many of them suffering from tuberculosis. Doctors here fear that an outbreak of typhus may occur soon.
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.
