Jewish immigration to Palestine – Reply of Member States to SecGen – Press release

UNITED NATIONS

Department of Public Information

Press and Publications Bureau

Lake Success, New York

Press Release PAL/88

27 August 1947

TEN MORE GOVERNMENTS REPLY ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

INTO PALESTINE

The Secretary-General has received additional replies to his letter of 29 May 1947 from ten Governments regarding illegal immigration of Jews into Palestine.  The replies contain the following remarks:

Bolivia:

"The Government of Bolivia will give special consideration to the matter whenever granting visas to residents in its territory traveling to Palestine so as to avoid the illegal immigration in reference."

Brazil:

"I have the pleasure to inform you that I have transmitted the request of the United Kingdom Representative to the Competent Brazilian authorities recommending them to adhere to a strict observance of my Governments commitments to the General Assembly of the United Nations."

Cuba:

"The Permanent delegation of Cuba wishes to inform the Secretariat of The United Nations that said note has been properly forwarded to His Excellency, the Minister of State, Cuba".

Denmark:

"In reply I have the honour to inform you that, to the knowledge of the Danish Government, hitherto only one case of this kind has occurred in Denmark.  The case in question was that of a foreign vessel, S/S "San Eusebio", which since last winter has been in the port of Copenhagen.  The British Embassy here asked for the assistance of the Danish Government in preventing her departure on the grounds that the Embassy had reason to believe that the ship was engaged or likely to be engaged in the transport of illegal immigrants to Palestine.  The vessel was hereafter inspected by the Government Surveyor.  As this inspection showed that the ship was not provided with certificate of nationality, trading certificate or loadline certificate the surveyor ordered the detention of the ship.  The Danish Government are willing, should similar cases occur in future, to take such precautions to prevent illegal transport of Jewish immigrants as they are able to under the existing legislation.  In the same way the Danish Alien Control will take such measures as the legislation permits to prevent the illegal transit of Jews to Palestine."

El Salvador:

"Thanking you for the above mentioned communication, the context of which has been taken into consideration by this Government".

Iceland:

"The Ministry is in full agreement with the communication referred to and at the same time, wishes to assure the Secretary-General that the problem involved will not arise in Iceland".

India:

"A further communication will be made as soon as possible regarding the action taken by the Government of India in the matter".

Netherlands:

Acknowledged the receipt of the Secretary-General's letter.

Philippines:

"I am happy to assure you and through your good offices His Excellency the Permanent United Kingdom Representative that his request regarding strict precautions being taken to prevent the transit through or departure from the Philippines of Jews attempting to enter Palestine illegally will be given very careful consideration".

Yugoslavia:

"My Government has taken note of the Resolution of the General Assembly of May 15th which requests member states of the United Nations to refrain from any action which might hinder the settling of the Palestine question in a peaceful atmosphere.  To date it has not been necessary for Yugoslavia to take any special measures towards this end, since there has never been an instance of the passage of Jews through Yugoslavia for the purpose of illegal entry into Palestine".

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Note:  Previous replies were given in Press Releases PAL/39, PAL/46, PAL/53, PAL/62, PAL/76.)