Settlement of Stateless Refugees in U.S. Urged by Refugee Committee Representative

The suggestion that the United States set aside land for the settlement of stateless Jews was made today by Sir Clifford Heathcote-Smith, representative in Italy of the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees during a discussion of the refugee situation with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency correspondent,

He suggested as a possible ? for a new Jewish homeland the island of Madagascar, which he termed “a really wonderful place.” Sir Clifford expressed his disappointment that “only a few” of the refugees had volunteered to accept Italian citizenship, and that most of them wish to go to Palestine. He said, “They are victims of propaganda.” He added that he had recommended to the committee that renewed efforts be made to find havens for Jews in places other than Palestine.

Revealing that he was returning to London for conferences regarding the refugee situation in Italy, the Intergovernmental Committee representative said that there were between 4,000 and 5,000 refugees from other countries in Italy. Sir Clifford disclosed that none of the refugees from Germany wish to return there and only a few from Austria are willing to go back to that country.