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The Jewish Trail of Tears The Evian Conference of ... - Haruth.com

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1938 the Mexican Government enacted additional and more restrictive entry<br />

requirements. <strong>The</strong> Secretary <strong>of</strong> the Interior, Ignacio Garcia Tellez, decreed the Republic<br />

would admit stateless refugees “only in exceptional cases <strong>of</strong> notorious benefit for the<br />

country…” Such “petitioners for admittance must affirm categorically that they have no<br />

racial prejudices and that they are prepared to form Mexican mestizo families [by<br />

marrying Indians]” and thus, facilitate the process <strong>of</strong> assimilation. Preferential treatment<br />

would be granted to single males less than twenty five years <strong>of</strong> age. 32<br />

Dr. Alfredo Carbonell Debali, the Uruguayan delegate, stated that his<br />

Government had given the “most sympathetic consideration to the generous [American]<br />

initiative” and like the other delegates, cited his nation’s humanitarian traditions towards<br />

immigrants but any consideration to admit refugees was contingent on Uruguay’s<br />

economy and the “urgent necessity for populating rural areas.” <strong>The</strong> country’s<br />

developmental priorities lay in the agricultural and stock-breeding sector and<br />

consequently a background in these areas was a prerequisite for admission. <strong>The</strong> ability <strong>of</strong><br />

the national government to provide for immigration and assimilation was limited and any<br />

necessary finances must be provided by private organizations in other countries. <strong>The</strong><br />

Government was, however, “favorable to the realization <strong>of</strong> this generous and<br />

humanitarian work <strong>of</strong> international cooperation.” 33<br />

residency would be awarded if they did not violate any immigration laws and remained within the country<br />

for five years. “Mexico Will Admit Austrian Refugees,” <strong>The</strong> Southern Israelite, June 17, 1938, 1.<br />

13.<br />

32 Frank L. Kluckhohn, “Mexico Sends Back Germany Refugees,” New York Times, November 2, 1938,<br />

33 “Proceedings,” July 9, 1938, 29-30. Carbonelli later served as Ambassador to the Holy See.<br />

210

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