Zionists in Botosani Say Interested in Emigration but Stable Economy is Main Need

Despite the persecution to which Rumanian Jews have been subjected during the past few years, an active Zionist organization is still functioning in the city of Botosani, from which a Jewish Telegraphic Agency correspondent has just returned.

While visiting Botosani to obtain the names of Jewish residents who have relatives in the United States, the JTA correspondent was given a message by the local Zionist-Labor group addressed to Jews throughout the world.

The message, which is signed by B. Kaufman, “as representative of the Jewish Socialist Party, ‘Trud,’ in Botosani, which is affiliated with Palestine central organization which is headed by David Ben Gurion,” says:

“Owing to the rapid advance of the Russian troops into the liberated sections of Rumania, nearly all the Jews in these regions remain alive. It is the only corner of Europe where the Jews escaped being massacred by the German Fascist hordes.

“The question of emigration is one which interests us very much. But at present it is necessary to strengthen the economic organization of Jews here. Under the anti-Jewish laws, Jews were, until recently, excluded from all branches of economic life. The situation reached the point where the majority of the Jews of our town were pauperized and became public charges.

“Since the arrival of the Russian Army, the situation has been somewhat ameliorated. Life is somewhat better, but the economic structure is not yet stable. The majority of the Jews are peddlers. It is necessary to strengthen the economic organization thought increased production. This can be done.”