JEWS’ SOLE HAVEN

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20728, 11 February 1939, Page 9

JEWS’ SOLE HAVEN

( BRITAIN’S POSITION RIGHTS FULLY SECURE Warning that anti-Semitism was spreading rapidly and violently in Europe and Iliat 1 Jews have no other choice than to fight back,” Dr. Nahum Goldmann, chairman of the administrative committee of the World Jewish Congress, with headquarters in Geneva, outlined in an interview the Jewish situation in eight European countries, says the New York Times. Dr. Goldmann, who arrived to attend the American Jewish Congress session, said that Ihe only country in Europe in which the rights or Jews remained fully secure was England, lie blamed the “ capitulation of the Western democracies in Munich ” for ihe further spreading of anti-Semitism in Europe and insisted that “ France to-day witnesses a systematic antiJewish campaign.” “ No Other Choice ” “ We have no other choice than to fight back, - ’ said Dr. Goldmann. “ Our rery existence is at stake; we cannot afford to remain qulei. Jews must become conscious of their obligations and must learn to organise tiieir defence live minutes before the zero hour ; ” Regardin'* e'sht individual European countries. Dr. Goldmann submitted the following outline on their treatment of the Jewish question: Germany.—The Jewish problem has reached the last stage of total liquidation. By 1939 at the latest not the slightest possibility of earning a living will bp left to the Jews. Italy.—The anti-Semitic turn in her domestic policy is a result of Germany's pressure and Mussolini s fury against the western Powers. Italian antl-Jewlsh laws concerning nonItalian Jews arc even more harsh than similar provisions In Germany. More German Pressure Poland.—The policy of economic discrimination lias not been suspended in the last months and will be carried on. Pressure for a settlement of the Jewish problem through inass emigration is ever-increasing. Jewish equality of right so far maintained in principle* will continue to he curtailed. Rumania. —With Czechoslovakia under German influence, Rumania is exposed to direct German pressure. The consequences cannot but prove catastrophic for the Rumanian Jews. It is to be expected that hundreds of thousands of them will be denationalised. while those whose citizenship will he confirmed will be pursued. Czechoslovakia. An anti-Semitic turn is bound to occur because of Germany's explicit demand end as a reaction within the defeated nation itSelf. Hungary.—The 20 per cent “ numcfus clausus ” against the Jews has come in force and is rapidly being carried out. The completion of ihe pro-

cess will not tala An years at provided by law. Tha Obvtette VMkft France.—ln search for A soa#to*oat for the Munich Agreement, whiCA haft caused profound consternattoto, fee Jews are the obvious victim. AntiSemitic propaganda by the Right wlfcff is taking alarming forms. Thft rift In French domestic policy is so deep that Fascist tendencies are rallying and will rally around anti-Semitic slogans. It is unlikely that the Jewish problem may rapidly become acute, but antiSemitism will become fierce, and defence against such attacks will be Otoe of the most urgent tasks of JSWtSh policy. Switzerland.—An advance Of itotlScmitism is also to be reckoned With. True, democracy is firmly rooted, but naturally enough, especially after the Czechoslovak experience, the country is feeling helpless against dictators. The result is an increasing anxiety, expressed in painful efforts at neutrality.