Lt. Gen. Sir Frederick Morgan, suspended chief of UNRRA operations in Germany, has been restored to duty and will return to his post in Germany as promptly as possible Herbert H. Lehman, Director General of UNRRA, announced today.
In a lengthy announcement, Lehman said that he had “several long and searching talks” with Morgan and had also received a letter from him, which Lehman published, in which Morgan disclaimed any racial or political bias, denied he was anti-Semitic, expressed regret for the “unfortunate interpretation” placed upon his words at a press conference in Frankfurt on Jan. 2, and expressed hope he would be permitted to continue his task.
Lehman stated that he had given “the most serious consideration” to all the circumstances and concluded that he was “justified in continuing to place confidence” in Morgan. He added: “I believe he did not intend to impute sinister motives to individuals or organizations seeking to improve the sorry plight of groups of displaced persons, and that he does not hold religious prejudices; that when restored to duty he will treat all groups of displaced persons fairly and in accordance both with their needs and UNRRA principles; and that he will at all times deal with all displaced persons with understanding and sympathy. I have also been impressed with Lt. Gen. Morgan’s deep concern for his work and his desire to return to carry it forward.”
Morgan in a two-page letter dated Jan. 28, and written in New York to Lehman, referred to the “unfortunate outcome” of his press conference in Frankfurt and assumed “the basic responsibility” for holding the conference and its results. He utterly rejected charges of personal anti-Semitism and declared “my sympathies are, as I think you know, you know, entirely with our displaced persons, irrespective of race or religious convictions, but particularly, perhaps, with those who have been, I recognize, the victims of special persecution.” He stressed his complete loyalty to UNRRA principles and Lehman’s leadership, and concluded with the hope he be permitted to carry forward the task in which he is deeply-interested.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
