22 APRIL 1943, Page 2

The Refugees Conference

The Anglo-American Conference which opened at Bermuda last Monday was arranged to explore the possibilities of joint action to meet the urgent need of refugees from German tyranny. Already this country has 15o,000 of them who sought asylum here during or shortly before the war. The United States has received a some- what larger number. But the question has become more acute since the intensification of German oppression, and the threat of extermination, limited only by the degree in which use can be made of Jewish slave labour. Nothing, clearly, can be done for victims who are still in the grasp of the enemy. Even for those who escape it is no easy matter to find the required shipping, though this must be done ; and it is still more difficult to find them a home, though this, too, must be contrived. Both Dr. Harold Dodds, speaking for the United States and Mr. R. K. Law, for Great Britain, insisted that the problem is too great even for Britain and America together, and that other governments must co-operate if a solution is to be found. For this purpose the maps of the world will have to be searched, and the help, perhaps, of many countries solicited. The opening speeches of the delegates empha- sise chiefly the difficulties of the situation. But they were not sent to Bermuda merely to stress difficulties.