Fearing New Riots, Saloniki Jews Seek Refuge in Synagogue

Fearing a repetition of the anti-Jewish riots of the last 48 hours, the Jews of Saloniki’s Jewish quarter today hastily abandoned their homes and fled with their few belongings to the Central Synagogue and Jewish school buildings. Others sought refuge with their better situated relatives.

All Jewish shops in the city are now closed and while sporadic disorders are still being reported from isolated sections of the city, a return to order is expected after today’s conference between the governor of the city and local press representatives. The minister of justice and minister of air arrived here this morning to institute an inquiry to establish responsibility for the outbreak.

Panayoti Tsaldaris, leader of the opposition party, today charged the government with failure to prevent the disorders of Sunday and Monday and called on the government to take steps to prevent a repetition of the disturbances. Replying to the opposition spokesman, Premier Venizelos expressed his grief over the rioting and added that the government had placed the army at the disposal of the Saloniki police in order to insure order. The Prime Minister appealed to the Christian populace to respect the country’s honor.

From Athens came reports today that the press is entirely sympathetic with the Jews of Saloniki. The Jewish community of Athens has forwarded a memorandum of protest to Premier Venizelos who repeated his earlier assurances that he would do his utmost. In the meantime scattered firing is still heard here while many Jewish houses have been specially marked with signs indicating that Jews live there. Heavy military detachments are patrolling the streets and have thus far managed to prevent any renewal of the disturbances.