Britain Seen Giving Implied Recognition to Polish Claim of ‘surplus Jews’

Jewish circles voiced fears today that the beneficial effects upon the Jewish position in Poland of a close Anglo-Polish relationship resulting from the new agreement might be impaired by Great Britain’s implied recognition of Poland’s claim that Polish Jewry constituted a “surplus population” which should emigrate.

It had been anticipated that the new relationship would result in a change in the Polish attitude toward the Jews, with a consequent amelioration of the Jewish position. Now, however, it is felt that while the Foreign Office statement that Britain was ready to examine Polish-Rumanian emigration proposals would be helpful to Foreign Minister Josef Beck and other Government leaders in withstanding extremist demands for forced emigration of Jews, nevertheless the statement might be interpreted as recognition by Britain that a Jewish emigration problem exists in Poland apart from general emigration needs. Thus, Britain would seem to be accepting a distinction between Jewish and non-Jewish citizens which the Jews have always strenuously opposed.

It is understood that during the conversations, Col. Beck strenuously sought extension of the Intergovernmental Refugee Committee’s scope to cover the whole Jewish emigration problem, with Poland and Rumania to be included in the committee. It is also believed that he urged Britain to permit larger immigration to Palestine, with a proportionately larger Polish quota.

It is to be expected that Poland and Rumania, through their envoys, will soon submit proposals to the British Government with regard to emigration of Jews from their respective countries.