The Denver Jewish news., 1923-01-24
JEWISH CONGRESS- REJECTS
MEXICAN OFFER.
> Express Appreciation Of Offer. But
Find Plan "Inipraeticable."
GewIsh Correspondence Hnream

New 1ork-ine f.NctUtlNe committee
of the American Jewish Congress has
through special committee carefully
investigated the reported opening for
opportunities for Jewish migration in
to Mexico. says II statement issued to-
day on behalf of the Executive com
mittce of the American Jewish Con-
gress 10y DIR. Stephen $. Wise. its chair
man. Joseph Bar0ndes. chairman of the
special committee on Mexican immi-
grafton. and Bernard G. Richards. en-
ecutive secretary. The statement fol-
lows:
After an investigation of the sub
ject. extending over n period of sew
eraI months and including correspond
cnce with persons having special and
expert knowledge after study of vari-
ous documents of importance. official
and unofficial. and particularly afth
consultation with experts of highest
character and standing who have rc-
field. we regrctfully announce that.
while profoundly appreciative of the
offer of the Mexican Government to
the Jewish people. we do not believe
that opportunities today exist for the
entrance into Mexico Of any consider
able number of Jewish migrants from
Eastern EurOpe-in the sense with
which the term Immigration is usual
ly connected. namely the possibility of
securing employment for considerable
numbers of our people or of finding OPP
I5Ortunities I'm industry or commercial
activities already existent. We deeply
regret to state that we do not believe
that such opportunities now obtain in
Mexico In relation to the terms of the
offers of the Mexican Government.
Such invitations as have been cx-
tended to Jewish and other migrants
on behalf of the Mexican Government
would involve the grant of lands for
large agricultural settlements of ter
ritorics and under conditions present
ing the gravest difficulties. These plans
involve large colonization scheme as
from mass immigration
into n country. In the Judgment Of
experts who have been consulted no
such plans should be undertaken I'M
less previous consideration has been
given not only to the serious obstacles
to he met with on every side. but the
enormous sums of money which would
he required for the carrying through of
such II project. If the matter Of col
onization We're seriously to be consid-
ere dand If nll the innumerable and i'm
difficulties could he over
come. it would still he necessary prim-
nrily to take into account the fact that
huge funds would he needed for the
of the public works such
as water-supply and irrigation plants.
In view of these considerations,
which are based upon the facts as they
have been placed before us, we have
reached the decision that
the colonization plan as proposed is i'm
practicable seeing that there are no I'M
nleulhtt opportunities lot any tblslu-
cradle number of Jewish people to SO
cure livelihood in the cities or towns
or villages in exico. 1t therefore be-
comes our solemn duty earnestly to
counsel and worn our Jewish brothers
in Eastern European lands not to em-
bark upon n costly and perilOus journey
to Mexico. The settlement of large
numbers of our people as agriculturists
on the land. which settlement is un-
related to the problem of normal immi
grafton. could not he carried on with
out the aid OF every large funds and
the united strength of all Jewry.
Even though in the future it may
become possible and even necessary un-
der the stress of circumstances to form
uate and carrying through an eSten-
sive colonization scheme in Mexico.
it none the less now remains our solemn
and imperative duty TO make it clear
to all those Eho may he interested, that
Mexico cannot at this time become u
place of refuge for those. who must
without delay find work and opportuni-
ties of self support for themselves and
their families.