Terming published reports abroad regarding the Saloniki anti-Jewish riots greatly exaggerated and admitting that they were unjustifiably provoked by Nationalist students and Greek war veterans, Premier Venizelos, in a cable to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency tonight, declared that the Jewish world need have no further anxiety for the safety of the Jews of Saloniki.
Replying to an inquiry from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency for an official version of the disturbances, the venerable Prime Minister cabled the following statement:
“The Saloniki disorders were unfortunately provoked by the unjustified manifestations of Nationalist students and Greek war veterans against the participation by members of the Saloniki Maccabee Club in a celebration of the same organization in Sofia where a member of the Bulgarian Maccabee spoke in favor of the territorial claims of his country.
“Happily, the information circulated about the Saloniki incidents were exaggerated, and apart from certain material damage one can only regret the death of one Greek. Order has now been completely reestablished. The government has delegated A. Avraam, minister of justice, to go to Saloniki to make a thorough inquiry. All political parties, supported by public opinion, have unanimously approved by categoric declaration in parliament disapproving of the disorders. The Jewish world need have no anxiety.
“Venizelos.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
