Jewish Political Attitude Toward Pilsudski Program Undergoes Radical Change

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

A radical turn in the course of Jewish political attitude toward the Pilsudski government was registered at today’s plenary session of the Club of Jewish Deputies, which embraces those Jewish deputies who were elected on the tickets of the bloc of national minorities and Zionist groups.

Deputy Isaac Gruenbaum, advocate of the radical attitude, who was out of the office of president of the club for the past four years, under the influence of the deputies from Galicia, was elected president of the club.

The new situation was created when a majority of the club members rejected the motion of the Galician deputies that the members refrain from voting in parliament on the acceptance or the rejection of the government budget. The majority instead, adopted a resolution instructing the club members to vote against the budget of the Pilsudski government. The Galician deputies, headed by Dr. Leon Reich, argued that a vote against the government budget might lead to an overthrowal of the Pilsudski government, which would, they asserted, transfer the power to the Pilsudski opposition. This, in turn, would create a catastrophic situation for Polish Jewry.

The Gruenbaumists on the other hand charged that the Pilsudski government has failed to fulfill the demands of the Jewish population in Poland, particularly in the economic field. It is true, the Gruenbaumists argued, that the Pilsudski government has brought consternation in the anti-Semitic camp, but its policy of continuing the anti-Jewish practice in economic branches is disastrous. The Club of Jewish Deputies cannot, therefore, in faithfulness to its electorate, vote to support such a government.

Following the adoption of the Gruenbaum program, the deputies from Galicia read a statement in which it is declared that they decline responsibility for the consequences of the new situation.

Deputy Gruenbaum was elected to succeed Dr. Jacob Wygodski, deputy from Vilna, who acted as chairman of the club because of his seniority.