A strongly-worded resolution against discrimination against the Jews of Germany was adopted here today in the closing session of the congress of League of Nations Societies. The German society representatives surprisingly did not vote against the resolution, but abstained from recording its stand in the voting.
The resolution declares “we are deeply concerned over the situation created in Germany regarding the population of Jewish origin. We note with satisfaction that the Council of the League of Nations has embarked on an examination of the German-Jewish situation and express the hope that the German Society of the League of Nations Union will do its best to obtain the restoration of civil and political liberty.”
The resolution further requests Lord Cecil, as president of the congress, to interpret the sentiment of the congress in a letter of appeal to the German body.
While the German group confined itself to not voting either for or against the resolution, they strongly objected to Lord Cecil’s letter, actually leaving the hall in protest as the letter was read.
It declared: “The action taken against the Jewish citizens has caused the most serious uneasiness in many parts of the world. It is not too much to say that the events, in the words of the covenant, have impaired good understanding between the nations. The German Government has taken legislative and administrative measures against a body of their citizens solely because they belonged racially to the Jewish people. This discrimination is impossible to reconcile not only with the spirit of the Covenant, but even with the progress of Western civilization during two or three centuries, to which Germany has made eminent contributions. The Federation hopes and believes that in the future nothing could more effectually promote good feelings between Germany and other countries than decisive evidence that in the future all citizens of the Reich can rely on equal treatment before the law irrespective of race, language or opinion.”
Congress circles consider the resolution, and the letter, in particular, as an important Jewish success and unmistakable condemnation of Germany’s Jewish policy.
The German delegation will probably publish a letter in reply to Lord Cecil.
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