Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Polish Premier Bans “violence, Chicanery” in Fight on Jews; Sejm Hears Protest on Anti-semitism

January 13, 1939
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

The Polish Government is determined to solve the Jewish problem “without violence and chicanery,” Premier Felicjan Skawoj-Skladkowski told the Sejm last night. “The Jewish question must be settled not by force, but by Government collaboration with Jewish emigration associations,” he said.

The Premier made the statement in replying to the Jewish Deputy Leib Minzberg, who had protested against spreading anti-Semitism in Poland. General Slawoj-Skladkowski said that the deputy’s speech was calculated to show how bad was the Jewish position in Poland. This, he said, was inconsistent with the desire of the Jews to make a pilgrimage to Poland as to a Mecca, which he declared to be inadmissible. He was apparently referring to the desire of Polish Jews facing expulsion from Germany and Italy to be repatriated.

Deputy Minzberg, speaking at the first session of the Sejm after the Winter recess, stressed the necessity of unity of all forces in view of possible political convulsions in this part of Europe during the new year. He declared that Poland, as a great power, was entitled to colonial aspirations, but asserted that they should not be realized by depriving 30 per cent of the citizens of their rights.

He protested against the spread of theories of hatred imported from Germany and against the segregation of Jewish students in “ghetto benches.” He also urged the Government to liquidate the border camp at Zbonszyn where several thousand Jewish deportees from Germany are interned.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement