Yugoslavia Orders Check-up on Foreign Jews; Residence Curbs Expected

The Interior Ministry issued orders today for a drastic check-up on all foreign Jews living in Yugoslavia in what was understood to be a preliminary to restricting their residence in the country.

Local authorities were instructed to investigate the status of all alien Jews, who will be ordered to fill out a questionnaire to establish how they entered the country, their occupations, details of bank accounts in Yugoslavia, source of income — whether Yugoslavian or from abroad — and the date of expiration of their residence permits.

As a result of the investigation, it is understood, the residence permits of German and Polish Jews may not be renewed. These measures are directed solely against Jews and no other foreigners. The total Jewish population of foreign citizenship is about 1,000 families, of whom 40 per cent are from Poland. The majority are small traders.

Meanwhile, a Federation of Jewish Communities delegation appealed unsuccessfully to the Minister of Justice for aid in obtaining the re-appointment of Chief Rabbi Isaac Alkalay as Senator. The Government’s failure to re-appoint him left Yugoslavia’s 70,000 Jews without Parliamentary representation.

The Minister of Justice told the delegation that the Regency was dealing with the question of Senate appointments and indicated that Dr. Alkalay was not the only one who would not be reappointed since the Government was interested in appointing supporters of the Government party. Jewish leaders, including Dr. Alkalay, consider it better for Jewish interests not to associate themselves with any political groups.

Police were investigating the smashing of windows in the Spanish synagogue. Swastikas were painted on the temple’s walls.