RESCUE FOR REFUGEES
By FRANK BESWICK, M.P.
WHEN the Nazi resistance in Europe collapsed in 5945 there were, it is estimated, 12,000,000 human beings displaced from their native countries. Of these some i5,000,000 have so far been assisted back home. The immense task of identifying, separating and transporting them constitutes in itself an achievement for which all too little praise has been bestowed on those responsible. How- ever, the remaining 5,000,000 persons present a problem which is as complex as, in terms of ordinary humanity, it is urgent. Their existence is also a source of much friction between major Powers, and this aspect cannot be lightly disregarded. Of the total, there are at the moment probably between 300,000 and 350,000 in the British zones of Austria and Germany ; in the American zones there are rather more ; the majority of the remainder are to be found in the French zones of occupation and in Italy. In addition, there are, as an international responsibility attributable to the war, a further 30,000 afforded a temporary and therefore unsatisfactory refuge in the Middle East, India, Africa and Mexico. In the Far East there is a problem of uncertain proportions, whilst the 4,000 to 5,000 men who fled from Spain after fighting for the Republican cause are now waiting in hopes of getting home. We have also to re- member the 140,000 Poles, mostly of General Anders' Army, now in this country for whom the British Government have accepted a certain liability.
The international character of the refugee problem was recognised by the General Assembly of the United Nations in January, 1946. In February of last year a resolution was passed stressing the "im- mediate urgency " of the problem and recommending that the Economic and Social Council should establish a special committee to examine and prepare measures for its solution. This special com- mittee met almost continuously from April until June. Ii produced a report which was immediately referred to the Economic and Social Council, who adopted it .on June mt. The special committee and several sub-committees further discussed the matter, and finally a draft constitution for an International Refugee Organisation was sub- mitted to the second part of the General Assembly in last October.
During all these long, wearying and often bitter discussions the argument was invariably between representatives of the Slav " countries of origin " and the so-called Western democracies. In the main the arguments concerned the interpretation and application of c(ii) of the February resolution. It stated that no refugees or displaced persons who have finally and definitely, in complete free- dom, and after full knowledge of the facts including adequate infor- mation from the governments of their countries of origin, expressed valid objections to returning, and who do not come within the provisions of paragraph (d) below, shall be compelled to return to their country of origin. " The future of such refugees or displaced persons shall become the concern of whatever international authority may be recognised or established." Paragraph (d) stipulated that no action should interfere with the surrender and punishment of " war criminals, traitors and quislings."
The political complications of the present problem arise from the fact that the million refugees who remain, constitute, very nearly, the " hard core " of the original total ; almost all of them will prob- ably claim that they are covered by paragraph c(ii) of the quoted resolution and none, naturally enough, admits to being either a war criminal, traitor or quisling. The countries of origin have other views. Approximately 100,000 Jews are among the total, and these, it is admitted by everyone, are deserving of assistance in resettlement. Their problem is a peculiar and separate one. Apart from these Jews, the Slav countries maintain that any person who will not agree to returning to his native land and assist in the work of reconstruction must, automatically, be a war criminal. Alternatively, they argue, if any are not war criminals they must be innocents, physically coerced, persuaded or deceived into passivity. The truth is probably that, given absolute freedom of choice based on full presentation of facts about conditions at home, a small proportion of the whole will still go back home. Of the Balls, whose countries are now incorporated in the U.S.S.R., probably none will return. They are mostly people who had some experience of Russian methods before the German occupation and who afterwards moved volun- tarily or were moved compulsorily for labour purposes by the Germans. Of the Poles there are probably a considerable number who will yet return ; the total involved is probably between 350,000 and 400,000 people. When the offer was made, at the instigation of La Guardia, of sixty days' food-rations to any Pole who opted to return home, the rate of repatriation quickened considerably. In- deed, in one month during the autumn 6o,000 men were repatriated to Poland from the British and U.S. zones in Austria and Germany_ Weather conditions have for the time being practically stopped this movement.
Although not so many people are involved, the Yugoslays in camps in Austria and Italy present one of the most acute difficulties of the whole problem. Undoubtedly among the Ustachi there are many war criminals. Equally certainly there are many brave men who, in the ranks of the Royal Yugoslav Army, helped the Allied cause effectively, but who now would risk death if they returned to Tito's Yugoslavia. Unfortunately the political prejudices of these people, coupled with their military training and outlook, provide a source of much embarrassment to the British and U.S. authorities under whose authority they are afforded temporary asylum. Liaison officers from Belgrade, seeking to establish contact with those elements who have been carried to their present position by the tides of war and not political conviction, have ventured near the camps at considerable personal risk. There was the most regrettable episode recently when a Yugoslav Consul official from Trieste, together with a companion, was set upon by Royalist fanatics near a camp in Northern Italy and actually beaten to death.
The constitution of the International Refugee Organisation is an absurdly lengthy document which attempts to reconcile conflicting interests, opinions and philosophies. It is laden with reiterations that war criminals, traitors and quislings shall not benefit from the pro- visions of the organi.sation, but insists at equal length that no man or woman shall be sent back, or induced to go back, to a country
in which he or she is likely to suffer because of genuinely held political or religious convictions. The Constitution was adopted by the General Assembly in New York as practically the last item on the agenda. It is to come into force when fifteen States have become party to it and between them provide 75 per cent. of the necessary finance. Upon the signature of eight States a Preparatory Com- mission can be set up. The first eight States to sign the Constitu- tion were the U.S.A., Canada, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Philippines and Liberia. The influence of the United States is apparent. The signature of the United Kingdom was delayed until the most careful study had been given in the light of financial circumstances. It has now been appended.
Holland and Norway have since joined ; Belgium and certain British Dominions, it is hoped, will follow ; and their addition would represent most valuable support. Brazil, it was originally anticipated, would be an early member, but after the amendment to the constitution making financial contribution to large-scale resettlement a voluntary matter her position has been less clear.
Ir seems likely that this new experiment in large-scale international co-operation will now be given a chance to function. Its progress will not be easy. Offers of resettlement are at the moment dis- couraging. No country, apart from the United States, is willing to accept the type of labour represented by the Jews. All want man- power of a special type and then only in small and easily assimilable quantities. The South American countries—Brazil, for example— might accept large numbers, but considerable capital sums for development would probably be needed. Canada has taken 2,000 or 3,000 from the Northern European countries, and will probably take a few more. We have admitted, or are admitting, about 2,50o Baltic women, and are now opening employment exchanges at the camps through which an important number of additional immigrants will be recruited to help out with our man-power position. It must also be remembered that we still have the huge burden of the 140,000 Anders Poles already with us.
Although from national angles the problem seems so difficult, from a world view it is impossible to believe that these million men and women cannot be given the opportunity to live arid work use- fully, peacefully and in freedom. Certainly the earnest t_od wishes of those who have the interests of humanity at heart will go out to the present preparatory efforts of the International Refugee Organisation.
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