The Polish government was warned, in a recent address before the Sejm by Dr. Rothenstrcich, that unless it alters its policy, in conformance with the demands of the Club of Jewish Deputies, the situation of the Jewish population will become more menacing that it is even today.
While it is true that the entire population of Poland is becoming pauperized as a result of the crisis, the Jewish population is becoming completely declassed, he asserted, with only 15% earning enough for their bare subsistence; 20% able to meet three-quarters of their most elemental needs; 35% managing to obtain half as much as they require, and with 30% earning nothing at all.
The present situation, the Jewish deputy blamed upon the policy of the government.
It is true, Dr. Rothenstreich said, that there is distress also in the villages, but it pales in comparison with the terrible position into which the Jewish population has been driven.
“You would not understand what we meant when we pleaded with you: Do not ruin the Jewish population. It was necessary in the interests of the villages, but I tell you, that if you destroy the urban consumer, you annihilate also the rural producer. It will not help you if you issue ever so many decrees. It will not help you if you grant ever so many credit facilities to the villages, if it is done at the expense of the Jews.
“It is many years now since you have been conducting this policy of pushing out, of degrading the Jewish element. That aim has been attained. We have been declassed, but what have you created in our place? What benefits has it brought to the State Revenue, to the position of Poland in the world markets? Even now things would be worse than they are, if it were not for the ability, initiative and expert knowledge of the Jews. If Polish export trade is to continue only in that one direction in which you are trying to point it, the elimination of the Jews, things will be much worse than they are.
“I ask myself,” Dr. Rothenstreich went on, “whether those who bear responsibility for the affairs of the State render any account to themselves that the policy which they have been conducting till now with regard to the Jews is harmful to the country.
“I know that I shall be told that a great deal has been changed for the better and that many Government departments treat the Jews very differently now. That is true, but the
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.
