The Independent Order B’nai B’rith, the oldest Jewish fraternal order in the United States, addressed a protest yesterday through its president, Mr. Alfred M. Cohen, to the Polish Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Tytus Filipowicz, against the anti-Jewish excesses in Poland.
The B’nai B’rith, an organisation which unites Jews in twenty-five countries, including Poland, under the banner of patriotism, philanthropy and service to fellowmen, views with shock and sorrow the reports of regrettable and even tragic occurrences in Poland during the last two or three weeks, involving the happiness, safety and lives of Jewish men, women and children in very many cities and villages, the telegram sent by the B’nai B’rith President to the Ambassador says.
The published accounts indicate, it continues, that students in the universities of Cracow, Warsaw and Vilna have been victims of ill-will and hatred. The latest reports are particularly alarming and lead to the belief that this spirit of antagonism towards the Jewish people is becoming more widespread.
We have not heretofore registered our deep concern because, mingled with the disturbance reports, are assurances that the Polish authorities are exerting themselves in an effort to suppress these outbursts of unjustified race and religious animosity, but the events of the last day or two are causing us very great concern because they indicate that the vile acts referred to are being extended into a much wider territory.
The plight of the Jewish people in Poland, the telegram concludes, is having a depressing influence upon the Jews in the United States and throughout the world. May we ask that you convey to your Government the sincere hope of the Jewish people that vigorous action be immediately taken to stop these deplorable manifestations of ill-will towards the Jewish population in Poland so that they as loyal citizens of their native land are guaranteed and given the full measure of security to which all polish citizens are entitled.
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