Speech #750252304

Not satisfied with the cruelties inflicted upon the Jews and Christians in Germany. the Nazi government. since it has destroyed the independence of Austria. has turned its merciless machine against not only the Jews in Austria but also tens of thousands of other Austrians who loved their country. and the Nazi regime is now devising new methods of torture and cruelty in order to liquidate the Jewish problem. which means the confiscation of the property of the Jews and their expulsion from Germany and Austria. A number of nations have taken cognizance of the plight of these despoiled and oppressed peoples. who. after being robbed. are To be driven from their country. and are taking counsel for the purpose of affording some relief to meet a situation so tragic. Our Department of State. on the 24th of March of this year. gave to the press the following statement: This Government has become so impressed with the urgency of the problem of political refugees that it has inquired of a number of governments in Europe and in this hemisphere whether they would be willing to cooperate In setting up a special committee for the purpose of facilitating the emigration from Austria and presumably from Germany of political refugees. Our idea is that whereas such representatives would be designated by the governments concerned. any financing of the emergency emigration referred to would be undertaken by private crganizations within the respective countries. Furthermore. it should be understood that no country would be expected or asked to receive a greater number of immigrants than is permitted by its existing legislation. In making this proposal the Government of the United States has emphasized that it In no sense intends to discourage or interfere with such work as is already being done on the refugee problem by any existing international agency. It has been prompted to make its proposal because of the urgency of the problem with which the world is faced and the necessity of speedy cooperative effort under governmental supervision If widespread human suffering Is to be averted. It will be observed that our Government declared that "it has been prompted to make its proposal because of the urgency of the problem with which the world is faced. and the necessity of speedy cooperative effort under governmental supervision if widespread human suffering Is to be averted." It is obvious that the situation is tragic. that the suffering of these persecuted human beings calls for pity and for aid. and it is to be hoped that measures will be adopted to meet in part at least the needs of these hundreds of thousands of suffering and stricken people. I pause to remark that it would seem that a situation so terrible and which prompts the calling of a conference to deal with persecuted and starving people would lead to a condemnation of the government that is responsible for this catastrophic situation. Our Department of State. on May 11. issued the following statement: The Government of the United States is consulting with the more than 30 governments which have agreed to cooperate in setting up the special Intergovernmental committee to facilitate the emigration from Austria and from Germany of political refugees. concerning the time and place for the first meeting of the committee. In order that the Intergovernmental committee may meet with as little delay as possible. the Government of the United States has suggested that the first meeting be held July 6. at Evian. France.