The difficulties of property restitution and the restoration of Jews to their former positions were stressed today in an article in the newspaper L’Aube, organ of Foreign Minister Georges Bidault.
Pointing out that repeal of anti-Jewish laws has not yet been officially announced, the article declared it would not be easy to face the economic and financial consequences. “Regulations prohibiting the practice of medicine and law by Jews can easily be rescinded,” the article said, “but would those concerned be able to resume their professions where they left off?”
The question of public and private officials is even more complicated and a modus vivendi must be found, the paper said. The article discussed the complex problems of the restitution of businesses and stocks, and the impossibility of recovering transferable securities.
“The French people should regard compensation for Jews for the injustices they suffered as an urgent duty,” the article declared, “but restitution should be achieved in an atmosphere of good will.” It warned Jews not to insist on compensation by the state since “the public would never understand why they should be treated better than other war victims.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
