From the S&S archives: Jews in U.S. Zone laying ground for DP exit

MUNICH, May 16 (S&S) — The establishment of a free state in Palestine will make it possible for thousands of Jews in Germany to emigrate to the Holy Land, Dr. Hayim Hoffmann, director of the Jewish Agency for Palestine, predicted yesterday.

Arrangements are being made to establish a consulate in the American Zone and to issue visas, he revealed. Hoffmann, a Palestinian himself, said personnel will be recruited from the Jewish Agency.

He said there should be no difficulty obtaining exit permits for DPs, since President Truman has recognized the de facto existence of the Jewish state.

Jews held by the British on Cyprus will go first, so large scale immigration from Germany probably will not begin until July, the agency director said.

Priority will be given, he reported, to those who can defend and help build up the country. Hoffmann estimated there are 10,000, men between 17 and 34 years of age among the Jewish DPs in Germany able to fight.

In DP camps in the U.S. Zone there are 134,000 Jews, a majority of whom want to go to Palestine. Until now immigration has been strictly limited by the British, with only 50 to 60 persons a month obtaining permission.

Jewish DPs meeting at Bad Reichenhall recently agreed to give priority to persons 17 to 34 years old and arranged to get names of volunteers willing to fight.