A group of American Jewish leaders composed of Dr. Stephen S. Wise and Dr. Nahum Goldmann of the World Jewish Congress, Jacob Blaustein and Judge Philip Forman of the American Jewish Committee, and I. Kenen of the American Jewish Conference, arrived here today from Paris and conferred with Gen. Joseph T. McNarney on various problems concerning the displaced Jews.
The conference, which was also attended by Rabbi Philip S. Bernstein, adviser on Jewish affairs to Gen. McNarney, was followed by a luncheon at which the commander of the U.S. armed forces in Europe addressed the group. He reiterated the Army’s policy of providing a haven for all persecuted Jews, but refusing to accept large transports from areas where they are not being persecuted. He disclosed that he had authorized Gen. Mark Clark, U.S. commander in Austria, to ship 19,000 Jewish “infiltrees” into the American zone of Germany, as well as permitting the entrance of 1,900 Jews from Berlin.
He pointed out that despite shortages of food and housing, the Army was providing the Jewish refugees from Eastern Europe with a food ration which had a higher caloric content than that granted to any other group in Germany. The Army is providing shelter although the lack of sufficient housing may force lower standards than the Army desires to give the Jews, he added.
Asserting that the Army welcomes the assistance by UNRRA and the voluntary relief agencies, Gen. McNarney revealed that he was planning a program which would permit the voluntary agencies wider responsibility in the entire DP program. He particularly praised the activities of the Joint Distribution Committee and the local offices of the Jewish Agency.
He declared that he was impressed with the growing sense of responsibility and self-discipline which the displaced persons were demonstrating, and said that he was planning to grant them a greater amount of self-administration in the camps. Not only is such a move inherent in the democratic concept, the General stated, but it is vital in restoring human dignity and self-respect to the displaced Jews.
Replying, Dr. Wise thanked the Army for liberating the Jewish people of Europe and for caring for them, despite many difficulties. “The fact that these ‘persecutees’ seek out the areas governed by the American forces is testimony to the high record of benevolence and justice of the Army,” he declared, adding that “this goes beyond the physical care. Its spirit is the symbol of democracy and freedom.”
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.
