Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Charge Polish Foreign Office Permitted Spread of Anti-semitic Tales Abroad

December 16, 1928
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

Vice-Minister Says Foreign Office Unaware of Such Acts; Promises Investigation (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Charges that the press service emanating from the Polish Foreign Office has been used to disseminate propaganda against Polish Jews were brought before the Budget Commission of the Polish Sejm during the discussion on the estimates of the Foreign Office.

Deputy Rozmarin, speaking on behalf of the Club of Jewish Deputies, quoted a release issued under the auspices of the Foreign Office for the use of the foreign press, in which it was asserted that Polish Jewry consists of three parts, the first being a majority of Communists, unloyal to Poland; the second, the Zionist nationalistic group, similarly termed unloyal; and third, a small group of loyal Polish citizens. Polish Jewry, economically, is a parasitic element, the release added.

The Zionists, the propaganda material further stated, aim to retain the ghetto life of Polish Jewry. The agitation carried on abroad by Polish Jews was the cause for the growth of anti-Semitism in the country. Following the Pilsudski revolution of May 1926, the Orthodox Jews, ignoring the agitation of the Zionist leaders, fought together with the Polish workers on Pilsudski’s side The Zionists, the release further stated, make it impossible for Polish Jews to merge with the Polish people, since they continually exhibit and emphasize a national separatism.

Deputy Rozmarin stated he was doubtful as to whether such propaganda is of any good to Poland’s prestige and expressed his opinion that most likely the baptized Jews who are in the service of the Foreign Office are attempting to offer proof of their hyper-patriotism by disseminating such anti-Jewish propaganda. He also asked why the press department of the Foreign Office consistently ignores the Jewish press representatives at the press conferences. While the representatives of the Persian, Turkish and Afghanistan newspapers are given every consideration, such an important factor as the Jewish press in the United States is ignored.

Vice-Minister Wysocki, replying to the remarks of Deputy Rozmarin, declared he was unaware of the release referred to and expressed the conviction that the Foreign Office has not issued such material. The distribution of such information concerning Polish citizens of the Mosaic faith does not correspond with the policy of the Foreign Office, he declared, asking Deputy Rozmarin to submit to him a copy of the release, whereupon he will order a thorough investigation.

Deputy Rozmarin stated he will present the material within twenty-four hours.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement