Jewish Organizations Felicitate French Committee for Affirmation of Cremieux Decree

A cablegram felicitating the French Committee of National Liberation on its restoration of the Cremieux Decree, thereby returning citizenship status to native Jews in Algeria, was dispatched yesterday to the French Committee of National Liberation by the American Jewish Congress and the World Jewish Congress. The message was signed by Dr. Stephen S. Wise, president of the American Jewish Congress, and Dr. Nahum Goldmann, chairman of the Administrative Committee of the World Jewish Congress.

“The action of the Committee in revoking the lamentable abrogation of the Cremieux Decree is as honoring to France soon to be liberated as it is just to the Jews of North Africa,” the message said. “The American and the World Jewish Congress never doubted that the spirit of France which framed the Cremieux Decree would never permit its annulment. We join in prayer that the French Committee of National Liberation may soon have its rightful place by the side of the United Nations and among the governments in exile and that the exile will be ended by reason of your intrepid leadership and the resolve of the United Nations.”

BARON ROTHSCHILD SAYS MANKIND WON GREAT VICTORY

Baron Edouard de Rothschild, president of the Central Jewish Federation of France and Algeria, who had exchanged correspondence with the State Department in Washington in his fight against the abrogation by Gen. Giraud of the Cremieux Decree, is one of three signatories to a resolution adopted yesterday by the French Jewish Representative Committee here, which declares that the restoration of the Cremieux Decree is “a great victory won by mankind.” The resolution, issued for publication under the signatures of Baron Rothschild, Henri Torres, president of the Representative Committee, and Paul Jacob, secretary, reads:

“The French Jewish Representative Committee, on the occasion of the restoration of the Cremieux Decree, expresses its gratitude to the French Committee of National Liberation, particularly to General de Gaulle, General Catroux and to Mr. de Menthon, for the act of justice and morality which they have just accomplished, in the spirit of France and her noble traditions and in accord with the will of the French people, as affirmed by the heroes of its Resistance.” The resolution also thanked the liberal press of the United States and the World Jewish Congress for their efforts in securing the restoration of the Decree.