Evening star., 1946-08-17
u. ). Is Seen Setting
Example in Move 10
Take More Refugees

Take More Refugees
President Truman's suggestion
that the United States offer per-
homes to an increased
number of the estimated 1,000,-
900 Jewish refugees and other
displaced persons in Europe was
welcomed today as a good exam
pie for other nations.
1t also was regarded as putting
this Government In q better bar
gaining position with Great Britain
during current consultations in
which the President is urging
prompt steps to increase Jewish
into Palestine.
While avoiding any formal COM
mitment. White House statement
yesterday said the President Is "con-
templating" asking Congress for
special legislation to authorize entry
into this country OF fixed num-
Der" OF European displaced persons,
including Jews.
Mr.. Truman pointed out that solu-
tion of the Palestine problem by
itself would not solve the broader
problem Of resettling all the dis
placed persons in Europe and SAID
ne hoped arrangements could be
made for various countries to admit
many Of these persons as permanent
residents.
Officials estimated that less than
1900 of the European displaced
persons may enter the United
States each month under present
immigration quotas. Actual i'm
migration for the entire year to date
has not filled even these quotas,
with only about 3,40O coming in.
immigration service officials said,
however, that faster transporta-
ton and screening might I'LL them
to overaowing later on.
There was no hint in the White
House statement as to the size of
the special additional quotas that
might be requested, or whether a
special session of Congress might
be asked to act on the matter before
the next Congress convenes In
January.
Senator Taylor, Democrat, OF
Idaho, hailed the Presidents an
nouncement as "commendable," de-
claring:
1.-THE population problem in Eu-
rope today is dnsolvable unless the
gates of all countries, including our
own, are opened to a fair and
fproportionate number of these vic
Tins Of Hitlerisn It would be the
height of hypocrisy for us to de-
mand that other countries take
action without offering to do our
share"
Gillette Lauds Statement.
In New York, former Senator Guy
M. Gillette of Iowa, president of
the American League for a Free
Palestine, termed the Presidents
statement "saiutary STEP"
The White House statement said
this Government "has not presented
any plan of its own for the solu-
ton Of the problem Of Palestine" )"
although the President has been
exchanging views" with British
Prime Minister Attlee on the
subject.
1t added that Mr.. Truman hopes
proposed British-Jewish-Arab con-
versations will lead to flair" solu-
ton Of the problem and immediate
steps" to alleviate the situation of
the displaced Jews in Europe.
Diplomatic officials said, mean
while, that in his exchange with
Mr.. Attlee, the President has given
some support to suggestions of the
Jewish Agency for Palestine that a
large degree of autonomy be given
the Jews through creation of sep
arate Jewish and Arab states in
Palestine.
Acting Secretary of State Acheson
said at a news conference that this
Government has not made any rep
Presentations to Britain about its
action to halt illegal Jewish immi-
grafton into Palestine. He added
the American attitude is that those
immigrants who arrived before the
blockade was announced should be
treated with all possible considera-
ton.
Cites Permanent Strongholds.
Mr.. Gillette, speaking to reporters
In New York after his return from
| q of Do Sic H.,
yond question" that Britain Is trans
forming military establishments in
Palestine into permanent strong.
holds. He said he talked to contrac-
tors who said they were building
permanent structures based on an
occupancy of five years or longer.
He charged the British with exer-
cising arbitrary control over a
people capable of self-government. !"
i Mr.. Acheson said discussions have
been going on with numerous coun-
tries for some time about the prob
lems Of finding permanent homes for
The displaced persons in Europe. CO.
ordinated action for resettlement is
expected to be discussed at the next
meeting Of the United Nations Gen.
eral Assembly, scheduled for New
York September %.
Officials estimate there are about
10000 displaced persons in Ger
many, 100000 in Austria, 10000 in
Italy and 100000 scattered in other
countries. Most of them are ma
tives of Poland, the Baltic States
or the Balkan countries, who for
various reasons cannot or will not
return to their original homes.
Few DPS Are Germans.
Few of the displaced persons in
Germany are natives of Germany.
officials pointed out, and so can
not enter this country under the
German quota, which is the largest
of any country in that part OF
Europe.
President Truman ordered the
State Department and immigration
Service last December to take "every
possible measure to facilitate full
immigration" under existing quotas
from Central Europe so as to help