The Jewish Telegraphic Agency report concerning the mistreatment of Jewish refugees living in the Polish settlement of Santa Rosa in Mexico by the Poles has aroused a great deal of comment in the Jewish press.
The Forward, largest Jewish daily in the country, expresses dismay that neither the Polish embassy in Washington nor in Mexico City has taken action on the complaints of the Jewish settlers. It writes that “all liberals and democrats will take up the cudgels for a democratic and progressive Poland but not for a reactionary and anti-Semitic Poland.” The Forward urges the Polish Government in London to make a thorough investigation of the incidents.
The Freheit, Communist spokesman, charges that the anti-Semitic manifestations at the camp are evidence of the fact that “the present Polish Government is dreaming of the Poland of Pilsudski and Beck, of pogroms….and ghetto benches.” Referring to the fact that the Santa Rosa camp is maintained with funds contributed by the United States, it says: “Every decent American should ask himself whether it is right that America should give lend-Lease aid to the Polish Government which is responsible for such anti-Semitic terrorism?”
The Day charges that the Polish Government has never made any effort to stop anti-Semitic activities, such as the publication of anti-Jewish Polish newspapers in London and the discrimination against Polish-Jewish soldiers in Russia and Iran. The government’s conduct makes it clear that Jews cannot expect much from the present regime, the Day concludes.
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.
