70,000 Jewish Ex-traders to Be Settled on Collectives by Ukrainian Government

Recent favorable measures taken by the Ukrainian government will assist 70,000 Jewish ex-traders from Ukrainia to settle in land collectives or join artisans cooperatives, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency was officially informed today. The information is based upon statistics now at the government’s office showing that Jewish ex-traders in Ukrainia now number 80,788, fifteen percent of which are still considered Nepmen while the rest will receive opportunities in accordance with the government’s measures.

The same data shows that 251,320 Jews between the ages of 15 and 30 are unemployed in Ukrainia. A problem also arises with the 121,588 Jewish artisans who need new qualifications because their professions will shortly be useless. Most of these people have no election rights but a recent government decision opens prospects for them for land, factory and hired labor. Factory jobs will be given only to the Jewish youth.

While similar information is not available from White Russia the situation there is nevertheless proportionately the same as in Ukrainia. It is foreseen that notwithstanding the new government policy toward the declassed thousands will be compelled to migrate because the small towns are unable to offer work for everybody, even with government assistance. Many who left the Crimean colonies in 1928 are now asking for permission to return because the situation in the small towns is hopeless.

Collectivization opens new land which was taken away from the rich peasants and given to the Jews. As a result of this 5,000 new Jewish families can now be settled on the land in Ukrainia where until now there was no free land available. The Agro-Joint, which has had practically nothing to do with Ukrainia, has been reinvited now by the Comzet, the government department for settling the Jews on the land, to continue its work there, mostly, however, of building schools and baths, but no agrarian work which the government wants to conduct itself by means of its own agronomists.

At the same time the government announces that those who wish to migrate to Siberia, Transbaikal or Mongolia will receive free railway passage, free land, and their children will be admitted into the higher schools of Siberia, just as the workers’ children and their families will be provided there with bread by the government during the first year.