News Brief

The question of what the greater majority of American Jews are–hard working men and women or “white collar” men, was raised in Hungary’s capital as a weighty issue in connection with the debate which is now going on in parliament on the Government bill to modify the numerus clausus law limiting the number of Jewish students in Hungarian universities and colleges.

Anti-Semitic deputies in their arguments in the House for the numerus clausus against Jewish students declared that the discriminatory measure is intended to bar Jews from the “easy” professions since Jews generally shirk manual work and prefer to be “white collar” workers. In support of this contention they asserted that American Jews, too, have preference for professional work.

This contention called forth a spirited reply in the Hungarian newspaper, “Pesti Naplo.” The newspaper quoted facts and figures showing that the preponderant majority of American Jews are engaged in trades which require hard physical work. In New York the greater majority of Jews are tailors and furriers, typesetters and printers. Generally what is typical of the Jewish trades in the United States is that they require hard physical labor.

Many Hungarians who have spent several years in the United States confirmed this observation in letters to the newspaper.

The “Pester Lloyd” in an editorial today raised the following questions. How will the Hungarian delegation, consisting of three hundred members, which is proceeding to the United States to celebrate the Kossuth Liberty Memorial, be able to join those American Jews of Hungarian birth in this celebration at a time when the emancipation of Jews in Hungary no longer exists? What will the delegation be able to answer to the question as to whether it is true that in the country of Kossuth the freedom of study is being tread upon ?

The House continued the discussion on the numerus clausus bill yesterday.

Deputy Julius Goemboes, leader of the Hungarian Fascisti, replied to the remarks of Paul Sandor yesterday. Deputy Goemboes feels he must greet Zionism despite Deputy Sandor’s regrets that the Zionist organization was legalized. He has greater respect for the sincerity of Deputy Bleyer who declared that the Germans in Hungary are a nationality than for Sandor who denies the existence of a Jewish nationality, Deputy Goemboes declared.

The numerus clausus, he stated, serves as a means to protect the Hungarian race, even though the Government denies it.

Deputy Bela Fabian, Jewish Democratic leader, attacked the Government bill as insufficient, adding that Prime Minister Bethlen was compelled to formulate this “modification” proposal under the pressure of public opinion abroad.

Minister of Religions Aucio admitted that the modification represents no betterment.

Count Klebelsberg, Minister of Education, pleaded with the House to vote for the Government bill. When this bill will be enacted Jews in Hungary will again be restored to the status of a religious community. The numerus clausus measure will be revised after ten years, he added.

Deputy Paul Sandor in his opening address said that it was time for a new organization within the Jewish religious community. They must have a powerful and active party to lay down the basis of a new era in the life of the community. Dr. Glueckstahl submitted a detailed program of work, which, he said, would result in the organization of a worthy representation of the Jewish community not only of Budapest, but of all Hungary.

The conference unanimously decided to form the proposed new party and to contest the next elections in the Budapest Jewish Community. Deputy present included Dr. Emanuel Glueck and Dr. Marzell Hajdu have been appointed to draw up a detailed program.