W. J. C. Warns Against “premature Optimism” on Geneva Parley

The acceptance by the heads of the Big Four of the principle of the elimination of barriers which interfere with free communication and trade among people “holds out a promise of vital importance to the Jewish people in its effort to bridge the gulf which the cold war has created between the Jews of the East and the West,” the World Jewish Congress said here today in a statement on the results of the recent Geneva conference.

“But,” continued the statement, “this is only a promise. On the basis of inquiries we have pursued and consultations we had with members of the delegations at Geneva, we consider it our duty to warn against premature optimism. The road before us is long and difficult. Progress will not be assisted by public statements, open to misinterpretation, that Jews of any particular country are the special concern or responsibility of another country. We are dealing with problems which concern the international community as a whole.

“The World Jewish Congress, as an independent international organization representing Jews living under varying social systems, will at the appropriate opportunity submit proposals relating to the Jewish aspects of international concern,” the statement announced. “As a body which has consistently refrained from involvement in the cold war we are encouraged to believe that the proposals we envisage will be considered with understanding and studied as a contribution to the bringing about of ‘such freer contacts and exchanges as are to the mutual advantage of the countries and peoples concerned.'”