Evening star., 1938-08-06
Mr.. Rublee's Task.

Election of George Rublee of WASH
ington as permanent director of the
Intergovernmental Refugee Committee
places upon an American the responsible
ity for carrying out the lofty purpose
with which President Roosevelt initiated
the 27-nation conference at Evian-les-
Bains, France, last month.
His selection not only recognized the
leadership the United States has as
sumed toward solution of one of the
worlds most aggravating problems, but
was tribute as well t.. the new spirit OF
humanitarianism President Roosevelt is
striving to introduce into international
relations, for the task is more humani-
tartan than diplomatic.
AS principal executive officer of the
27-nation committee at London, Mr..
Rublee will carry on the work begun by
his fellow American, Myron c. Taylor,
who as chairman of the Evian conference
helped to create the permanent COM
mittee. The actual arrangements for
resettlement of the German refugees will
be especially in his hands.
His task is of colossal proportions. At
stake are the destinies of hundreds Of
thousands, oppressed, subjected to every
kind of inhumanity, their properties
confiscated, their means of livelihood
taken away. Life in their present sur
roundings holds nothing but misery until
the grave claims them. To seek respite
these people, many advanced in age,
must leave the homes Of their fathers
and make the long trek into the wilder
ness of new life In strange parts of the
globe.
But where can they 60? If they are
agriculturists or skilled mechanical
workers some doors are ajar. But If
they are intellectuals, teachers profess
sional men and women, and white
collar workers practically all doors are
closed, for as the statements by the
delegates at Evian showed every country
already has an oversupply of such tai
ented citizens of its own. Thus, added
to enforced migration, higher class refu-
gees must enter entirely new vocations,
discarding their mental talents in order
to earn living with their hands.
This difficult problem of readjustment
to new environment and new occupations
would not be insoluble if it were not for
the refusal Of Germany to permit them
to carry to their new homes any SUBJ
stantial part of their wealth. Their
new start must be financed by strangers,
out of charity, although many have
adequate means for the venture if they
are permitted to use them. This refusal
to allow the removal of refugees capital
is the crux of the problem before Mr..
Rublee and the permanent committee.
Success or failure will depend upon
Germanys willingness to cooperate in
sesettling these unfortunates, but there
has been no indication as yet that Ger
many recognizes any responsibility for
the plight of her refugees. Her attitude
is one of unconcern for whether they
emigrate to happier lands or remain to
suffer in the Reich.
Mr.. Rublees job therefore requires
more than usual diplomacy and tact.
He must argue for mercy and decency
where humanitarianism hitherto has
been crassly and methodically repudiated
If, in carrying his appeal directly to
Adolf Hitler, he wins the Reichsfuehrer
to fulfillment of Germany's moral and
ethical obligation to these people he
will deserve every honor the civilized
peoples can bestow.