The Denver Jewish news., 1924-11-27
Our New. York Letter of
Current EUents
Henry MOrgenthaus Resignation from Greek Settlement
COmmissOn-A Situation and a Task Not Unfamiliar
Does the Greek Refugee Differ from the Jew?
Three Russian Letters Which Carry Interesting An
peal to Self Made Men
Ry WILLIAM z. srIEGELMAN

Henry Morgenthnu. former United
States Ambassador to Turkey. protec-
tor of the Jewish community in Pal
estine before the United States en-
tered the World War, member of the
United States Commission to investi-
gate the anti-Jewish excesses in Po-
land, appointed by President Wilson,
resigned from the chairmanship of
the Commission appointed by the
League of Nations for the resettle-
ment in Greece of one million Greek
refugees.
The Chicago Tribune" in n cable
from its correspondent in Vienna
broadcasted the news that Henry Nor
genthau resigned because of the criti-
cism OF the Greek press supposedly on
account of the alleged embezzlement
OF funds by certain Mr.. Kaufman,
who, as supposed, was in some way
connected with the Greek refugee
work.
Both Mr.. Morgenthau and his resig-
nation are of particular interest to
the Jewish public. More than this, of
particular interest is the work which
proceeded Mr.. Morgenthaus resigna-
tion. Approximately a million Greeks
who, for many generations, lived in
the former Ottoman Empire in terri
tories largely inhabited by Turks, con-
stituting thus national minority
were forced, as a result of the Turk
ish-Greek War and the subsequent
Peace Treaty, to leave their homes,
thus solving the ever-compicated
problem of national minority, which
is separated from the majority both
IN language and religion. Over mil
lion Greeks, victims of the national
istic conception upon which the new
States are based, the conception which
found final sanction in the recent in
ternational peace treaties, became n
problem to themselves and to the mem
bers of their race. The ancient Greek
race, revitalized in the last century
and reinvigorated in the newly created
State, had spokesman in New
Greece. Confronted with the problem
of a million refugees and the tremen-
dous amount of capital required to re-
lnstate them, Greece appealed to the
League of Nations. The League, usual
ly considered a weak instrument, felt
its responsibility toward the Greek
refugees. A committee was appointed
and Henry Morgenthau, the close
friend of the great Woodrow Wilson,
the advocate of the rights and happi-
ness of national minorities, was ap-
pointed its chairman.
Mr.. Morgenthau has been successful
in arranging for the resettling of the
Greek refugees, loan of ten million
pounds Sterling. This, in itself, is an
unparalleled achievement. Greater
still is the work accomplished in re-
settling the refugees.
The Greeks in Turkey were not only
farmers, but merchants and small
traders as well. Land was offered but
it needed cultivation. The new colo
nists needed houses and implements.
Organization and supervision were
necessary. All this was provided for
under the skillful organization set up
by Mr.. Morgenthau's administration.
1t is a situation and task which
sounds not unfamiliar to the ears of
Jewish leaders. Were the Greeks in
Turkey the only national minority
that suffered as a result of the war?
Are the Greek refugees the only refu-
gees whose plight reached the tribunal
of the League of Nations? Is the
Greek resettlement plan the only
scheme of reinstating the productivity
and happiness of masses of uprooted
communities?
Mr.. Morgenthau must have heard
OF something similar, not only in
country which once belonged to the
Empire where he represented the
United States Government, but con-
Germs another great number of refu-
gees who are in some remote way CON
nected with him and to whose plight
no responsive ear has as yet been lent.
Has Mr.. Morgenthau never heard of
the plight Of the Jewish refugees?
Henry Morgenthau has good mem
ory. Since his return from Poland
and the rendering Of his report on the
Polish-Jewish situation, since the
severe criticism voiced by the Jewish
press against the ultra-cautious terms
in which he couched his report in ap-
prehension of offending in any way the