Jews in Poland Charge Courts with “tolerating” Anti-semitism

Reports reaching here from Warsaw indicate that although the campaign initiated by the Polish Government against anti-Semitism has had its effect to a certain extent upon the population, it had no effect upon the courts.

One of the reports, which finds its reflection also in the latest issue of the Warsaw Jewish newspaper “Folkshtimme,” charges the courts in Poland with tolerating anti-Jewish developments” and with giving suspended sentences only to those found guilty of anti-Semitic acts.

“Several months ago,” the Warsaw Jewish organ writes, “when anti-Semitism was raging all over the country, and when the entire press in Poland–official and unofficial — was full of facts which were severely condemned by public opinion, the courts remained blind on both eyes even at that time. They could not find any punishable acts of anti-Semitism. And when the supreme councils of the government ordered strict punishment for those committing acts of discrimination against national minorities, the courts merely issued ineffective suspended sentences. This is the situation also today, despite the attitude of the press.”

At the same time, Jewish leaders in Warsaw indicate that the problem of finding dwellings for Jews repatriated from the Soviet Union into Poland is now gradually being solved. Reports which they received from a number of towns in Lower Silesia — to which the Jewish repatriates are being sent — state that the local municipalities have changed their attitude and are providing housing for the newcomers, although not to the extent required. Some Jewish repatriates are still without housing.

Different is the situation with regard to providing the Jewish repatriates with employment. According to the reports from Warsaw, only about 50 percent of the Jewish repatriates have found work in some of the cities. This is explained by the fact that a large number of repatriates are not qualified workers and many of them do not master properly the Polish language.

The Folkshtimme reports that among the Jewish repatriates there are also invalids and aged who are no longer able to work. The paper says that they are in a very difficult situation and urges that they should be given an opportunity to emigrate and join their families in other countries. “A number of Jewish leaders have expressed this opinion during official talks with government representatives and it is to be expected that the problem will be dealt with sympathetic understanding by the authorities, ” the paper reports.