Octavian Goga’s six-week-old government composed of members of his National Christian Party and right-wing National Peasant Party leaders resigned today.
The anti-Semitic, pro-Fascist Cabinet was expected to give way to a coalition including the National Peasants’ Party, Goga adherents and other parties, but not including followers of Prof. Alexander Cuza, co-leader with Goga of the National Christians, or the Fascist “All for the Fatherland” Party (Iron Guard).
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency understands that no essential changes are expected in anti-Semitic regulations already issued since anti-Jewish feeling is considered in official circles to be strong all over the country.
However, it was believed possible that the new government might soft pedal anti-Semitic measures in order to render them less objectionable to opinion in democratic countries.
A report published abroad that the Juridical Committee has ruled unconstitutional the decree for revision of naturalizations because it singles out the Jews was ascertained to be without foundation.
It is understood the term for submission of documents on revision of Jewish citizenships, expiring Feb. 12, will be extended because regulations essential to application of the royal decree have not yet been published. The regulations are expected to be published by the end of the week.
Premier Goga, whose party gained less than 10 per cent of the votes in last December’s election, resigned without waiting for the new Parliamentary elections called by King Carol for March 2. The resignation came after Carol had summoned a number of political leaders to the Royal Palace for conferences.
(The Associated Press said King Carol had commissioned ex-Premier George Mironescu, former leader of the National Peasants Party, to form a new cabinet. The A.P. also stated that Patriarch Miron Christea had declined a suggestion by the King that he take over the regime).
Before the announcement of the government’s resignation, it was stated that two Rumanian representatives in the United States who are Jewish had been recalled. They are Carol Tarcauanu, Consul in New York, and Jacob Rosenthal, press attache of the Rumanian legation.
(The status of the two in view of Goga’s resignation was not clear. The Rumanian Legation in Washington said that Rosenthal had been recalled, but that the recall was “routine.” Rosenthal, who is stationed in New York, said when reached at the Hotel Rit Carlton that he had not been notified of any recall and denied reports that he had resigned. He has held his post eight years. Tarcauanu also asserted that he had received no notification of recall. Both are continuing their duties.)
The Ministry of Health yesterday ordered revision of all medical and pharmaceutical diplomas granted since 1919, the year that Rumania annexed Hungarian, Austrian and Russian provinces to double its territory and population.
The revision will be conducted by a special commission comprising an Appeals Court judge, two doctors, a pharmacist and a lawyer. Within 20 days from today all doctors and pharmacists must submit to the commission their diplomas, licenses to practice, matriculation certificates and nationality papers, The commission has been empowered to strike from the register all doctors and pharmacists whose papers are not in order.
At the same time, the Justice Ministry decided to examine all decisions since 1919 which permitted Jews to change their names.
The Foreign Exchange Board announced foreign currency will henceforth not be granted to Jewish students studying abroad. Owners of Bucharest restaurants and cafes have been summoned to the Labor Ministry and warned to dismiss all Jewish workers within 14 days, in compliance with a recent Labor Ministry decree.
Mayor Braieschu of Bucharest decided Jewish firms were not to get municipal contracts.
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.
