Negotiations Under Way for Settling Jews of Eastern Europe in Spanish Cities

Jews from all parts of Eastern Europe may soon find a haven of refuge in Spain, the same Spain that 440 years ago expelled them from its borders, if negotiations now going on between Primo de Rivera, King Alfonso, Prof. Polito, vice-president of the Spanish Senate and Z. H. Rubenstein, city editor of the “Day,” culminate in a definite plan of colonization, according to a Madrid despatch to the New York “Times.” Plans for settling the Jews in Spain were started shortly after the Palestine disturbances when rumors became current that Spain would invite the Jews to return.

A plan, the details of which have not yet been made public, was presented to government officials, the dictator and representatives of the small Spanish Jewish community, by Mr. Rubinstein, who was sent to Spain by the “Day” first to verify the recurring rumors about Spain’s intentions toward the Jews and secondly to lay the groundwork for a colonization scheme. So far as is known, the plan calls for bringing small Jewish businessmen from the cities and towns of Poland and other East-European countries to such places as Valencia, Cadiz and Seville.

Although the edict of 1489 has never been repealed, Jews have been living in peace and security in Spain for many years. One hundred years ago a law was passed, and later incorporated in the Spanish constitution permitting all religions to have a seat within the kingdom but some of them were not permitted to demonstrate in public. In practice, however, all religions have been tolerated without any sort of political interference.

The project to settle Jews in Spain is said to have sprung from the fact that economically Spain is backward and an influx of Jews from Eastern Europe where, despite the minorities treaties they are still subjected to all sort of indignities and oppression, is expected to stimulate trade and business.