A Polish warning was given to the Western powers today that if they do not assist the emigration of Jews from Poland, then “we will have to solve the problem in our own way.”
The statement was made in the Sejm (chamber of deputies) by Deputy Surzynski of the Government party, rapporteur on the Foreign Office estimates, who complained that Western governments were considering only the problem of emigration from Germany and were neglecting the Polish question despite its urgency. The Jews must remember, the Government spokesman asserted, that the Polish people will carry out measures dictated by their own interests, despite difficulties, unless a solution of the emigration problem is achieved soon.
During the debate, Jewish Deputy Emil Sommerstein declared that the Jews regarded the emigration problem as being of extreme importance, but were not responsible for the conditions which created both the necessity of emigrat- ion and the difficulties of finding outlets. Stating that the world powers were not disposed to pay premiums for anti-Jewish persecution, he asserted that a policy or discrimination acted as a brake on efforts to increase emigration possibilities. He sharply criticized the attitude of Polish consulates in Germany in refusing protection to Polish Jews persecuted and deported by the Nazis, and also attacked the administration of the law for denationalization of Polish Jews living abroad.
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