Ro Decision to Aid “volksdeutsche” Protested by American Jewish Conference

Immediate reversal of yesterday’s decision by the ##RO Preparatory Commission to extend aid to “Volksdeutsche” from east Europe now in ##ustrian camps, was urged today in a cable sent to William H. Tuck, new American Executive secretary of the Commission, in Geneva, by the American Jewish Conference.Charging that IRO does not have sufficient funds to provide minimum care for ##ona fide displaced persons and refugees, the Conference quoted from the relief agency’s constitution which clearly forbids aid to “persons of German ethnic origin, whether German nationals or members of German minorities in other countries.”

“To divert aid from victims of Nazi persection,” the cable to Mr. Tuck declared, “to Volksdeutsche who served as Hitlerite fifth columns and willing collaborators in German atrocities, would destroy all remaining confidence and hope in the ##sefulness and intentions of the IRO.”