Salonica Governor Tells Jews Anti-semitism Has No Foothold in Greece

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency Mail Service)

The Hellenic Government appreciates the loyalty and ability of the Jewish population of Salonica and the other towns in Greece, the Governor-General of Salonica said in reply to a delegation of the Jewish community here which visited him this week to complain of the circulation of anti-Semitic leaflets in the city.

“There is no possibility of an anti-Semitic campaign in Greece being successful,” the Governor-General said. “All Greek citizens are equal in the eyes of the law. As for the allegation made in these leaflets that the Jews are Communists, you may rest assured that the Government will know what action to take against the Communists, if it thinks that the Communists constitute a danger to the State, but such action if taken will be taken against the Communists whatever their religion may be. There will certainly be no question of discriminating as between Communists who are Jews and Communists who are not Jews. And there will be no action of course against Jews who are not Communists.

“Such action if it is thought necessary by the Government will be carried out by the officials of the Government, and no unauthorized and irresponsible persons will be allowed to take the law into their own hands in this matter.”

The National Executive Committee of the American Jewish Congress will meet this afternoon at four o’clock at the Hotel Astor to select an American delegation to participate in the Conference on Jewish Rights which will take place in Europe about August 18.

This Conference, which is being held for the purpose of reviewing the conditions of the Jewish minorities in East European countries and to take appropriate action with respect to cases of infringement of Jewish rights in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles, is being called jointly by the American Jewish Congress and the Paris Committee of Jewish Delegations. Geneva will probably be the place of the Conference.

Dr. Stephen S. Wise will preside at today’s meeting.

Louis K. Gutman, president of Joel Gutman & Co., one of the largest department stores in Baltimore Md., died Tuesday.

Born in Baltimore 67 years ago, Mr. Gutman received his education at the Chartries School, New York, where he was a classmate of Theodore Roosevelt. He was identified with many enterprise. He was active in Jewish charities.

Mr. Gutman was a director of the Levindale Home for Jewish Orphans and a member of the Phoenix Club and the Suburban Club.