From Our London Correspondent
Much interest has been aroused recently by the publication in the Times of two articles by Lord Lothian on the subject of his recent visit to Berlin and his interview with Herr Hitler.
Germany, according to Lord Lothian, seeks nothing but equality of rights and fair and equal treatment (Gleichberechtigung). The cruelty, the merciless oppression of weak minorities, characteristic of the Nazi regime, are due, in his opinion, to the fact that Germany has not enjoyed these rights, has not received this treatment at any time during the last sixteen years.
Another recent visitor to Berlin, Lord Allen of Hurtwood, maintains much the same views in an article published in the January number of the Europaische Revue. Lord Allen, described in the German periodical as cofounder (Mitbegrunder) of the National Socialist party, tells his readers what he would do if he were in the place of the Fuehrer.
Among the various steps enumerated, no question is made of the need to abolish concentration camps, not yet of restoring freedom of speech and liberty of the press. Like Lord Lothian, Lord Allen places equality of treatment (gleichberechtigung) above all else as the object for the attainment of which the German political leader must strive.
It would therefore seem appropriate at this moment to state afresh that the Joint Foreign Committee has, ever since the accession of the National Socialist party to power in Germany, pursued precisely the same object, namely, equality of treatment accorded to all citizens alike, irrespective of racial origin or religious belief.
Unfortunately, there is no sign that the spirit which Germany so ardently desires should prevail in international relations is likely to govern her own treatment of the Jews, So far as they are concerned, equality of treatment remains in Nazi eyes an outworn relic of an age that is past.
A resolution in connection with the Saar was transmitted by the Board of Jewish Deputies to the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary-General of the League of Nations, and has been formally acknowledged. In the case of the last mentioned, with the intimation that the resolution had been passed on to the Committee of the Council for Saar questions.
The subject of the Saar refugees was recently raised by questions in the House of Commons and in a motion by Lord Marley in the House of Lords. The debate in the Lords also covered the general work of the High Commissioner for Refugees from Germany. In regard to the Saar, the reply for the government indicated that no statement could be made until the Committee of Three had submitted its proposals for the settlement of the refugees from the Saar to the Council.
On the general question of the refugees, it was stated that “a spirit of sympathy will continue to inform the attitude of H. M. government towards the endeavors of the High Commissioner in the discharge of the task which has been entrusted to him and, in cases where administrative action may be necessary, the High Commissioner will be able, as heretofore, to count on the most careful consideration being devoted by H. M. government to all suggestions which may be brought to its notice through the appropriate channels of communication.”
The Board of Jewish Deputies announces that in spite of further recent official assurances of equality in all respects for Jewish and other minorities in Austria, the situation of Jewish members of the professions in particular continued to be precarious. Their anxiety has been increased by the proposed social reform bill which, it is reported, cancels all agreements held by panel and municipal sick fund doctors and which provides for re-engagements only after careful selection.
Recent reports of the development of anti-Jewish feeling in Iraq have been confirmed by the Foreign Secretary in his reply to Josiah Wedgewood, who raised the subject in the House of Commons. According to information received, the attacks on Jews have been directed by the Pan-Arab movement and the newspapers supporting it, which are violently opposed to the growth of the Zionist movement in Iraq. The relations between the Jewish community in Iraq and the government are, however, sufficiently amicable to encourage the hope that the present difficulties will soon be overcome.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
