The first official German Jewish comment on the Evian refugee-aid conference was published today in the Juedische Rundschau, Zionist organ, in the form of an official statement by the Reichsvertretung der Juden in Deutschland, central organization of Jews in Germany, expressing moderate optimism and the belief that the problem of the Jews in Germany and Austria was not unsolvable.
The statement stressed that “for a solution, help from foreign countries is more than ever necessary, in view of the progressive impoverishment of German Jews and in view of the necessity to procure foreign exchange for emigration purposes.” Expressing the conviction that the Reichsvertretung’s emigration policy has been correct, the statement voiced the opinion that the establishment of an intergovernmental refugee-aid committee would result n an intensification and acceleration of emigration.
Meanwhile, it is reported here that the South African Government is refusing to admit Jews unless their passports are valid for five years or unless they are able to prove that he passports can be extended. Passports issued to Jews are usually valid for a year or less.
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