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Venizelists Employ Threats in Greece

December 21, 1934
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selves in the background in the anti-Jewish campaign, came forward and in which even Venizelos himself played a leading role. They all said to the Jews: You have to ask for the reintroduction of the electoral college yourself. If you don’t do it, you will suffer terrible reprisals as soon as we get into power again.

This campaign assumed a character which was really hideous. It is therefore easy to understand that the Jews sighed with relief when the postponement of the elections calmed their minds, and the storm that threatened them abated.

However, these events have exercised their influence as regards the position of the Jews towards the electoral college. Although nobody is prepared to humiliate himself by asking its reintroduction in order to evade future pogroms, it seems, nevertheless, that many have changed their standpoint. Characteristic is the declaration by Isaac Sciaky, the only Jewish Senator, who asserted that the Jews were willing for an entire generation to renounce all civic rights, if such a step helped to bring about peace between the parties. This attitude was disapproved by certain sections of the Jewish public opinion and nobody confirmed his declaration.

PROBLEM DIVIDES GREEK ZIONISTS

The Zionists of Greece are divided about the question of the electoral college. The majority of them have always fought against it for practical reasons. They say: The Jews would not have the power to raise any claims, if they had to be satisfied with only two votes in the Parliament, a number too small to be taken into consideration. However, by influencing the election of twenty deputies they could exhort these deputies to defend their rights and their interests. The minority of the Zionists declare themselves in favor of a separate electoral college, as thereby the qualities of a Jewish national minority are upheld.

The Jews are, however, powerless in this question. The electoral college is a trump in the hands of the Popular Party, as well as in the hands of the Venizelists, although in a reversed sense. It is certain that this electoral body would be reintroduced as soon as Venizelos should come to the head of the government again. This question has thus become a problem of great anxiety. The only possible solution is the adoption of a proportional electoral system, which would render the special electoral body of the Jews of Salonica useless.

Non-Student Division

First Prize of $25.00 awarded to Rabbi Samuel Horowitz of Temple Both El, Sunbury, Pa.

Second Prize of $10.00 awarded to Florence N. Burg, 1334 Lincoln place, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Third Prize of $5.00 awarded to Harry Greenberg, 437 Barbey street, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Collegiate Division

Victor Lovins, New York University student, awarded first prize of $25.00.

Zevi Harris, a student at Yeshiva College, awarded second prize of $10.00.

William Furie, Boston University student, awarded third prize of $5.00.

Scholastic Division

Irving Zeichner, 15-year-old student at James Monroe High School, awarded first prize of $10.00 and gold medal.

Albert Bockian of 4 Pitt street, a student at Townsend Harris, awarded second prize of $5.00 and a silver medal.

Nathan Miller of 74 Van Cortlandt Park South, Bronx, a student at De Witt Clinton, awarded third prize of $2.00 and a bronze medal.

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