[104-10225-10000.pdf — page 107]
-4-In the case of the Poles, because of the failure of the Polish emigration to produce a united national council which could be recognized by NCFE, no financial support whatever has been given by NCFE to Polish refugee activities, although the roles have one of the most sizable emigrations of all the nationality groups with which NCFE cooperates, and although the Pelos have an organisation, American Polish War Relief, a voluntary agency, which seems to be at least as effective, if not more so than the American Fund for Czechoslovak Refugees or Rumanian welfare, Inc., organizations with which it is roughly comparable.In the case of the Yugoslavs, which is probably the most difficult case of all, from the U.S. and the HCFE point of view as well as from the viewpoint of the individual refugee, HCFE has confined itself to contributing small amounts to the Benevolent Association of Free Citizens of Yugoslavia in London, in order that certain exiled leaders-who rendered signal services to the Allied cause during World War II, through their participation in the revolt of march, 1941, which led Yugoslavia to resist the Nazi Invasion - might receive small stipends. Although this aid is rendered through an organization abroad, to exiles residing abroad, it is in line rather with NCP's policy of providing assistance to a political and intellectual elite than with the policy of indirect support through National Councils or other organisations of refugee activity. No Yugoslav National Council, enjoying HCFE recognition, has ever emerged due to the delicate situation of western policy vis-à-vis Tito's government.In the case of the three Baltic States, although HCFE has been provided, both in the U.S. and abroad, with the instrumenta which have most nearly proved themselves capable of efficient, just and honest use of funds for refugee activities, no such funds have been placed at the disposal of the three Baltic Consultative Panels or their counterpart committees in Germany and elsewhere abroad.Originally, also, although the principle was never clearly defined or rigidly adhered to, and, at present, is as much departed from as observed, it was felt that CFE-supported refugee activities should be restricted, as much as possible, to the type of assistance which a consulate would render to its citizens who found themselves in difficulties in a foreign country. Such assistance would according to this line of thinking only occasionally and in cases of extreme and immediate need, be material; essentially it would consist of advice, translation and verification of documents and direction of the refugee to the appropriate agency capable of furnishing him with the type of further assistance, material or otherwise, which might be required. It has always been recognized, however, that the various National Councils acting as consulates for their anti-Communist compatriots, who could not turn to the legally-recognized Communist embassies, legations or consulates of their countries for help, would have to provide some material assistance for those who turned to them for help, if only a tram ticket, to allow them to visit the various international and local social agencies who could help them, or