Anti-semitic Groups Active in Paris; Many Disturbances; Jewish Leaders Disturbed

Jewish circles here are considerably distrubed by recent anti-Jewish demonstrations, which culminated in a crowd of returning war prisoners shouting “Down with the Jews,” as they raided shops in Paris, yesterday, demanding that they be clothed.

Bernard Lecache, president of the League Against Anti-Semitism, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency today that the linking of the legitimate grievances of the returning prisoners with anti-Jewish activities is a serious development, which must be combatted strenuously. The league, as a first step, is having leaflets distributed among returning returning deportees and prisoners demouncing the provocateurs who are spreading anti-Jewish propaganda.

He also revealed that he has conferred with Minister of the Interior Adrien Fixier and Paris police chief Luizet, who assured Lecache that steps will be taken to fault the anti-Semitic agitation. They requested that anti-racists defense groups do not intervens. The officials also disclosed that police have been instructed to immediately release any Jews who might be arrested in street incidents arising from demonstrations by fascist elements.

Such clashee occurred last Friday, for instance, when a mob of anti-Semitic hoodlums attempted to break into a meeting called by the anti-racist organizations. They were driven back by the police and members of the audience, Meanwhile, 17 members of the “tenant” groups that are attempting to prevent the return to Jews of apartments taken from them during the occupation have been arrested.

Lecache said that the anti-Jewish incidents are attributable to several causes. Chief among them are: the anti-Jewish heritage left among the French people by the Germans; the fact that unpurged fascist elements among the police prevent energetic action against the agitators in some instances and, finally, the existence of anti-Jewish groups, which are not numerous, but which are well-financed.