Table Of ContentEUROPEAN EMIGRATION OVERSEAS
PAST AND FUTURE
PUBLICATIONS OF THE RESEARCH GROUP
FOR EUROPEAN MIGRATION PROBLEMS
II
EXECUTIVE EDITOR!
Dr G. Beijer, I7 Pauwenlaan
The Hague, Netherlands
EUROPEAN EMIGRATION OVERSEAS
PAST AND FUTURE
BY
H. A. CITROEN
With prefaces by Prof. Sioerd Groenman
University 01 Utrecht
and Prol. William E. Rappard
University of Geneva
SPRINGER-SCIENCE+BUSINESS MEDIA, B.V.
By the same autllor: "Les Migrations Intemationales. Une probl~me
economique et social". Libraiyie de M6dicis, Payis, I948.
ISBN 978-94-015-0148-4 ISBN 978-94-015-0633-5 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-94-015-0633-5
COP'YYigllt I95I b'Y Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecbt
Originally publisbed by Martinus Nijboff, Tbe Hague, Netberlands in I95I
AU Yigllts yeseyved. including tlle Yight to tyanslate OI' to
yep1'oduce this book 01' pa,ts tlle1'eol in an'Y 101'm
CONTENTS
Page
Prefaces VII
1. THE EFFECTS OF OVERSEAS EMIGRATION UPON OVER
POPULATION IN EUROPE •••••••••••••
II. THE ORGANIZATION OF OVERSEAS MIGRATION PRIOR TO
THE SECOND WORLD WAR. • • • • • • • • •• 9
III. EUROPEAN EMIGRATION IN THE INTER-WAR PERIOD.. 17
IV. THE SECOND WORLD WAR AND ITS AFTERMATH • • • • 21
V. THE ACTIVITIES OF THE I.R.O. IN THE FIELD OF
INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION 25
VI. THE LESSON OF THE PAST. 31
VII. THE FUTURE OF LARGE-SCALE MIGRATION 36
VIII. THE FINANCING OF LARGE-SCALE MIGRATION. 43
IX. CONCLUSIONS • • • • • • • • • • • • • 47
PREFACE
The publications of the Research Group for European mi
gration problems represent studies by independent writers.
These studies do not form an integrated whole, but are inter
related by their subject, namely, European and international
migration. The topic is, therefore, approached in various ways,
like a discussion in which experts from different spheres of
activity expose their views on population in Europe. The writers
do not necessarily always agree in their opinions. The series must
surely be all the more valuable be~ause of this, since the solution
of the problem of over-population in Europe is of such great
importance as to deserve a wide, multilateral approach.
The author of the present publication, Mr. H. A. Citroen, is an
official of the International Refugee Organization (I.R.O.). It is
not surprising that his approach should differ from that of
Dr Hilde Wander, the author of the first publication of the
series 1). Dr Wander has stressed the present demographic
trends in the more important Western European countries, and
the possibility of the absorption of an ever increasing number
of workers into the economy of Europe itself. She is mainly
thinking in terms of the integration of Europe. Mr. Citroen's
idea, on the other hand, is that of "one world." His approach is
moreover that of an economist rather than that of a sociologist,
and the question of overseas emigration up to the second World
War and its effects upon over-population in Europe is dealt
with from that particular point of view. Since other view-points
are equally important, it is to be hoped that subsequent publi
cations in this series will take account of this.
The comprehensive description of the situation in Europe
given by the author shows that Italy, Germany and the
1) Dr Hilde Wander: The Importance of Emigration for the Solution of Population
Problems in Western Europe.
VIII PREFACE
Netherlands are particularly vulnerable spots. Of these countries,
the Netherlands are in a relatively fortunate position, since the
total number of would-be emigrants is small in proportion to the
total number of European migrants. Moreover, the Dutch are
particularly welcomed by every immigration country. Mr.
Citroen devotes much attention to Western Germany. The
gravity of the over-population problem of this country is
accentuated by the necessity to integrate as quickly as possible
millions of expellees from Eastern Europe into their new
surroundings.
In this war-devastated continent of today, the activities of
the IRO have made a significant contribution to the easing of
tension and the furthering of world peace. It is with this out
standing example before him that Mr. Citroen stresses the im
portance of international multilateral co-operation in the field
of migration, and it is the background of this experience which
gives the present publication its special importance.
DR S}OERD GROENMAN,
Prof. of Sociology, University of
Utrecht. Director of the Institute
for Social Research of the Dutch
People at Amsterdam.
PREFACE
If there is anyone who can speak on the subject of migration
with the authority both of personal experience and of careful
study, it is assuredly the author of this monograph.
When I first met Mr. H. A. Citroen, during the last war, he
was in a refugee camp above Montreux, in Switzerland. While
assuming administrative responsibilities there on behalf of his
fellow internees, he found time to write a constructive memo
randum proposing certain reforms of the regime to which they
were subjected. This memorandum so impressed the Swiss
officials in charge of the thousands of victims of nazi persecution
who had fled to my country, that it was made possible for him
to come to this Graduate Institute of International Studies in
Geneva. During his two years with us, he prepared an excellent
dissertation in French on the topic of "Les Migrations Inter
nationales". After that, he was appointed to the International
Refugee Organization where he is still active, pending his
departure for Israel. There, I understand, he intends to settle,
thus ending his long peregrinations.
The present booklet, which he has asked me to preface,
is therefore far from being the essay of a beginner or the
fantasy of a dilettante. I am sure that all those who may
have the opportunity of perusing it will find it extremely
instructive.
It presents both an economic and historical analysis of inter
national migrations in the recent past and a plea for the establish
ment of a permanent international organization for the continued
promotion of migrations in the future.
I confess that I was less convinced by the latter than en
lightened by the former.
No one who has given any thought to the subject will fail to
recognize that international migration, that is, the continued
x PREFACE
re-distribution of the world's population, according to the
everchanging needs and absorptive possibilities of the various
parts of the globe, is and must be of general benefit to all con
cerned. It relieves undue demographic pressure and thereby
politiciU. tension in over-~j?kd areas. It increases the labour
resources of those under- and fully-developed parts of the
world where manpower is absolutely or relatively scarce. And
finally and principally, it is intended to improve the lot of the
migrant both materially and morally.
Why then, since international migrations are in principle to
the general advantage of all concerned, should it be necessary
to further them by organized multilateral efforts? That some
form of international agreement is necessary to promote what is
by definition an international process is obvious. But that the
financial and administrative obstacles blocking the road over
which migrants are bound to travel and which result mainly
from governmental action or inaction in the countries of departure
and of arrival should necessarily call for a permanent, supra
national authority, to overcome them, may seem surprising.
Will not such an authority necessarily be subject to the policies
of the states that set it up, finance and control it? Mr. Citroen is
so convinced of the tremendous costs involved that he expects
them to be shared by third states whom he refers to as "indirect
beneficiaries". But why the tax payers of countries which
neither send out nor receive immigrants should contribute to
the expenses of an operation undertaken primarily, if not
exclusively, in the interests of the parties - individual and
states - directly concerned, will surely not prove as obvious to
all readers as it is in the eyes of the author.
Whether convinced or unconvinced by Mr. Citroen's plea,
his friends will at least draw from his apostolic fervour the happy
conclusion that he has enjoyed his co-operation in the labours
of the IRO, which among other advantages brings with it that of
tax exemption for its officials!
I do not desire, however, to close these hasty remarks on
such a cynical note. Mr. Citroen's whole career, which has been
one of undeserved sufferings, of useful action and of disinterested
endeavours, is a sufficient answer to my impertinence. And his
study is a truly useful contribution to a most important subject.
PREFACE XI
Its merits are entirely his own, but I am proud that it should
have flowed from the pen of a former student of this Institute.
WILLIAM E. RAPPARD
Professor at the University of
Geneva and Director of the Graduate
Institute of International Stwlier.
