The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-08-19
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 1888
NATIONS DISCUSS REFUGEE
PROBLEM

When representatives of 80 ma
tons recently met in France to dis
cuss the refugee problem and at
tempted to arrive at some sort of a
solution, it didn't make headline
news. But to the Thoughtful observer,
the conference served to emphasize
the fact that this is one of the most
tragic and difficult social AND eco
nomic problems of the modern age.
Never in modren history has the
plight of racial minorities, princip-
ally the Jews, been so bitter. The
pogroms of ancient times almest
pale into insignifcance beside those
of today. Germany, Of course, is
the seat of the Jewish oppression.
1t is apparently Hitler's desire tol
completely eliminate Hebrew infiu-
ence of any kind in Teutonic terri
tory. In Germany, and also in Austria
since the anschluss, Jews have been
forbidden to engage in most fields OF
profitable occupation. Even when
they are not driven out of business,
their stores are plaeardea, and the
German who trades with theR comes
at once into conflict with the dread
Nazi secret police. jewish profes-
sional men-doetors, lawyers, writ
ers, teachers-are boycotted. In
German schools, the instructor tell
their pupils to have nothing what
ever to do with Jews, either socially
or as a matter of business. Persons
with as little as one-eighth Jewish
blood are classified officially as Semi
tics, and are consequently ostrac-
lied. In brief, the Jew, under Hit
lers dream of race OF Nordic sup
ermen, is regarded as an enemy of
the state. Matters would not be so
bad were the Jews allowed to leave
Germany and Austria with what re-
sources they possess, to seek place
in other lands. But the Jew who Is
given a German passport is neces-
sarily a bankrupt. His money, his
property, even his personal effects,
are taken from him. He must leave
his home and his occupation with
no resources with which to make
fresh start.
Some time ago it seemed that the
problem might be solved by the ac-
ton of England ip opening Palestine
to Jewish colonization, and setting
it aside as a land where the Jews
might create a nation Of their own.
Today that hope is largely gone. The
Jews came to Palestine. They liked
it. They proved to be excellent set
tiers and capable business men. But
the Arabs, whose religion is strong
ly anti-SemitiS Immediately began
to fight the migration. Hundreds
have been killed in guerilla warfare.
The result is that only $4,000 Jews
a year are 10 be admitted to the
country drop in a gigantic
bucket There are about 100000
Jews remaining in Germany and
Austria alone.
The Empower conference took all
this into account. Its attitude was
extremely sympathetic toward this
oppressed people. But talk was about
all that resulted. No major country
is willing to open its gates wide to
the Jew, or any other refugee. For
the rank and file of Jews there seems
to be nowhere to go. All the big
powers are occupied with unemploy-
ment problems. There is not enough
work for their own people, and not
enough money to go around. Thus,
they pity the Jew, they realize the
injustice that has been melted out
to him-and they regretfully say,
no, when he askes permission to
enter.