Another petition similar to the famous petition submitted by Franz Bernheim, Upper Silesian Jewish citizen, has been submitted to the League of Nations Upper Silesia Mixed Commission at Kattowice, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency learned today. However, the German press is silent on the new petition.
The Bernheim petition succeeded in forcing the Nazi government of Germany to give at least official guarantees to treat the Upper Silesian Jews as a minority and led to the cancellation of many anti-Jewish laws introduced by the Nazis in Upper Silesia.
Dr. Perl, Jewish resident of Hindenburg, Upper Silesia, submitted the petition to the League secretariat, and asked for an immediate and urgent examination of his complaints that Germany was once again infringing on the rights of the Jewish minority in Upper Silesia.
The Mixed Commission, which has its headquarters at Kattowice, and to whom the League secretariat forwarded the complaint, will meet in the near future under the chairmanship of its Swiss president, Councillor Felix Calonder, and consider the matter.
Dr. Ruhl, minorities expert of the German government, informed the press today that in Upper Silesia, the Jews are being treated with extraordinary correctness. He denied that discriminations were still being practiced against the Jews there and insisted that the local authorities are doing everything within their power for the eventual reinstatement of the Jewish circles affected by the discriminations. Dr. Ruhl also declared that the Upper Silesian Jews are officially considered a minority.
“It is self-understood,” the German minorities expert declared “that Jews engaging in anti-state activities are treated just like Aryan anti-state elements.”
Today’s press is filled with assurances that all is well in Upper Silesia. This sudden flood of unasked assurances is attributed to German anxiety to prevent discussion during the January session of the League on the Jewish question, which in itself is not only undesirable for Germany, but really dangerous.
Germany is afraid that despite her withdrawal from the League, England, France and other League members will utilize the opportunity to force Germany to appear before the League to reply to charges against German conduct in Upper Silesia for which she is still responsible to the League, even though she is a non-member.
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.
