[The purpose of the Digest is informative. Preference is given to papers not generally accessible to our readers. Quotation does not indicate approval.–Editor.]
The recent statement made by Poland’s Vice Premier, Bartel, that, contrary to previous reports, no special department for the problems of the National Minorities would be established in the Polish government, since the government believes that a minorities’ problem, as such, does not exist, it being, according to the government’s attitude but part of the general problems of the country, is viewed with disappointment in “Der Moment,” Yiddish daily of Warsaw. S. Hirshorn, who writes on the subject in the “Moment” of Feb. 14, sees in it a change of attitude on the part of the Polish government on the question of the minorities. He writes:
“A definite indication of interest on the part of the government in the problem of the minorities was to have been the creation of a special department or secretariat for minorities. But since the government holds that the minority problem, as such, does not even exist, of course Mr. Bartel is right in denying the reports of the creation of such a department.
“For Bartel,” the writer continues, “the whole problem is small and unimportant. It is sufficient, according to him, to administer properly the economic situation, and everything else will take care of itself.
“Thus, the new attitude on the part of the government on this question presupposes solution of the minority problem simply on the basis of a generally efficient administration of the government. It constitutes, in the first place, a blow to the hopes of the territorial minorities.
“As regards all the minorities taken together, Bartel’s words regarding constitutional rights and equality might have been a comfort to them; for the constitution speaks not only of civil equality but also of national rights. Unfortunately, however, Bartel in the same address expressed an opinion which shows that on the subject of fundamental equality, he interprets the constitution in quite an extraordinary way. Namely, when he came to the point of the autonomous bodies, he stated that he considers it a mistake on the part of the Left to demand a uniform election system throughout Poland; in plain words, he would like to grant special privileges to the Poles in those districts where the minorities are in the majority.”
A permit for the construction of a $75,000 brick and stone synagogue by the Shaare Zion congregation, Sioux City, Iowa, was issued by the city building inspector.
Plans for the new synagogue call for class-rooms in the basement and a large auditorium on the main floor. The auditorium will be equipped with a balcony.
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