The Refugees Despite the hopes roused by the Evian Conference
in the summer, it becomes clear that the condition of the refugees, especially the Jewish, in Europe becomes steadily worse. It is difficult by now to decide whether it is better for a Jew, in Germany, Austria and Poland, to face boycott, starvation and persecution at home or attempt to escape from it abroad. Conditions for the Jews in Austria have become so intolerable that hundreds are reported to be crossing the frontiers every day, but all countries are closed against them. The French and Swiss frontiers are closely guarded, illegal crossings are almost impossible, and refugees caught are returned to Germany ; in Belgium and Holland illegal entrants are imprisoned before being expelled, and treated like ordinary• criminals, if not worse. It is clear that if such conditions are allowed to continue the refugee problem will become entirely uncontrollable, for another and greater wave of refugees from Central Europe may be expected in the future. If there is any meaning whatever in recent asser- tions of the new era of international co-operation which is opening in Europe, there will be a renewed attempt, on an adequate scale, to solve this appalling problem, which is a disgrace to Christendom. Certainly any settlement of the colonial problem should attempt to give the Jews scope for colonisation, backed if possible by both Gentile and Jewish capital. Even temporary camps, paid for by the Evian States, would relieve the worst of the immediate suffering.
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