Hungary’s Anti-semitism Discussed at Institute of Politics Round-table

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

The question of anti-Semitism in Hungary was touched upon indirectly yesterday afternoon at the conference of the Institute of Politics which was attended by over two hunderd members consisting mostly of university professors and foreign Dignitaries which included Count Sforza of Rome, Dr. Reinhold of Germany, and Sir Arthur Willert of Great Britain.

In his lecture on “Dictatorship vs-Democracy in Europe” Professor Spencer, who is the leader of the round-table on the this topic mentioned among the numerous problems of Hungary also the one of anti-Semitism. Professor Spencer was followed by Mr. John Pelenyi, Counselor of the Hungarian Legation in Washington who gave as the main cause of anti-Semitism the poor economic condition of the Hungarian people who hated those that had more bread than themselves and to the larger number of Jews in the Bolshevik ranks.

Speaking of the numerus clausus, Mr. Pelenyi quoted the public statements of Prime Minister Bethlen and the Minister of Public Education that they had nothing to do with its authorship, that it works hardships but that the economic condition had not yet reached a point where it could be repealed.

Mr. Pelenyi pointed out that by conceding the point of the numerous clauses, the government prevented worse happenings to the Jews. He further added that the feeling of anti-Semitism is gradually dying out and that time may entirely efface it.

Among those attending the conferences are also Rabbi B. Leon Hurwitz of the Bay Ridge Jewish Center, Brooklyn and Mrs. Anna Moscovitz Kross of New York City.