Anti-semttic Attacks in Britain Taper Off; Formation of Jewish Defense Units Opposed

After a telephonic survey of the major British ci## in which anti-Semitic demonstrations occurred since the week-end, which establed that there were only a few incidents last night, the Defense Committee of the ?rd of Deputies of British Jews announced today that “on the whole” the situation is improved and that the authorities have the matter well in hand.

The committee instructed the various local communities not to organize selffanse units, following the release of a statement by the Jewish Legion of Ex-Service? that if the attacks turn into “organized anti-Semitic outrages,” it will “take all ## necessary to prevent damage to Jewish property.” It is reported that one group veterans in Liverpool established a “defense commando unit.”

The Legion statement added that “we are waiting to see how far these anti##itic acts are to be carried out. At the moment it is hooliganism.” The Legion ##ed that all measures will be taken “in conjunction with the police.” Thus far, ther the Legion nor any other Jewish organization has taken any special action to ##tect Jews against the attacks, depending entirely on the police forces.

ATTLEE IS URGED TO CONDEMN RIOTS IN NATION-WIDE BROADCASTS

In Manchester, where more than 700 persons rioted yesterday and smashed win?s of Jewish-owned shops, the mayor appealed to the inhabitants not to join the attaks. A committee representing 20,000 employees at the Vickers arms plant issued a statement calling on the workers of the city to keep themselves free of mob hysteria not to take part in the demonstration. A petition, circulated and signed by leading trade union figures in the city, asks Prime Minister Clament R. Attlee to condemn ? riots on a nation-wide broadcast he is scheduled to make this week.

The National Council for Civil Liberties charges that the killing of the two ##tish sergeants in Palestine is being “deliberately seized on by fascist elements develop a campaign of anti-Semitic violence and riots.” An emergency meeting of ?Trades Advisory Council today “deplored” all acts seeking to disturb and hinder ?development of goodwill between peoples of all creeds. The Council was originally ##ded to counteract prejudice and misunderstanding between Jews and non-Jews in ?tish commerce and industry.

At Leicester, a Jewish social club was shut down after a demonstration took see in front of the promises. In many cities the Jewish population has imposed a ?amtary 10 p.m. curfew on itself. In London an anonymous telephone caller threatened blow up the St. Johns Wood synagogue.

A 38-year-old Englishman, Jack Piggott, was sentenced to six months imprison?at in a Lancashire court for breaking a store window. The magistrate called his ?tion “un-British and unpatriotic.”