Attention is drawn to the existence at a number of High Schools at the present time of considerable tension between Jewish and non-Jewish students, is the statement accepted by the Conference on Jewish problems convoked by the International Student Service, which has just been concluded here. Any superficial consideration of outward appearances without seriously dealing with the fundamental deeper causes, it is further said, will not do justice to the facts. The clear realisation of the situation which is essential to any attempt made to solve the problem, can be obtained in each country only by means of public discussions in academic forms. Violence and insults against opponents are impossible on both sides as a means of controversy.
As the Conference had been arranged for the purpose of giving Jewish and non-Jewish students an opportunity of exchanging views no definite resolutions or decisions were adopted. It has been agreed that the report of the proceedings should be published by the Secretariat of the International Student Service in English, French and German. The Conference has also expressed the desire that Mr. James Parkes, the Director of the cultural work of the International Student Service, who recently published a book on the problem under the title of “The Jew and His Neighbour”, should write a second book dealing more fully with the question of antisemitism at the universities of the various countries.
With regard to the calling of a third conference to continue the work started at Bierville and now continued at Nyon, the wish was expressed that the International Student Service should consider again in about two or three years’ time whether another such Conference is advisable. Mr. Parkes’ new book should be the preparation for such a third conference.
A committee of six has been formed by the conference, consisting of three Jews and three non-Jews, in order to collaborate with the Secretariat of the International Student Service in all questions affecting its activity in regard to the Jewish question. Ministerial Councillor Dr. Hermann Badt (Germany), Dr. Teich (Austria), and a Jewish student from Hungary, who has not yet been appointed, are the Jewish members, and the non-Jewish members include a German, a Pole and a Roumanian.
Mr. L. Stoll and Mr. Edwin Barker spoke during the discussion on the last day of the Conference on the position of the Jewish and non-Jewish students respectively in England. Antisemitism is practically unknown, they said, and where it exists at all it assumes for the most part the form of social antisemitism. A similar report was submitted on the situation in Holland. Miss Theresa Goell, speaking for the Jewish students of America, and Dr. Kotschnig, who also reported on the situation there, expressed the opinion that antisemitism is a considerable factor in American life. M. Handelsman, who spoke for the Jewish students of France, thanked the French authorities for their friendly attitude towards the Jewish immigrant students, who, he said, are very grateful to the French people and Government.
Dr. Brecher, Dr. Baumkoller, and Dr. Hanna who spoke on the position of the Jewish students in Poland, complained that they do not enjoy equal rights with their non-Jewish colleagues, adding that there was not a single case known to them of a Jewish student ever obtaining a stipend from the Government. They also reproached the Polish students for refusing to admit Jewish students into the general students’ organisations. The refusal of the Polish Government to recognise the diplomas of the Hebrew and Yiddish schools was objected to, and the speakers further complained that Jewish students find themselves subject to restrictions in regard to opportunities to enter the universities.
Professor Deryng (Poland) and M. Wroczynski, representing the Polish students, spoke in defence of the Polish point of view. They emphasised the economic difficulties of the country and the over-production of Jewish intellectuals. The Polish universities exist, they said, in order to train an intellectual class to serve the Polish people and State. M. Wroczynski said that he agreed with the Jewish students that there ought to be some attempt at rapprochement and peaceful co-operation between the Jewish and non-Jewish students.
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