Daily Digest of World Public Opinion on Jewish Matters

The question of the stranded Jewish refugees in various European ports, as well as those Jews who are compelled to leave their homes and present occupations in a search for new homelands, still holds the attention of the press almost everywhere.

The invitation, extended by President-elect Calles of Mexico in an interview granted to a representative of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in New York, to the Jewish refugees to come and settle in Mexico caused a storm in many Mexican papers as the Mexican press takes a negative stand on the matter. So, for instance, the Mexican “Excelsior” says editorially, “In spite of the fact that Jews are workers, savers, intelligent and able, we do not consider that this immigration would be the most desirable for this country. They would gain control of industries which today are in our hands; they would receive the support of powerful American and English sources, and there would ensue economic, social and religious conflicts.”

AGAINST THE CRIMEAN PROPOSITION

The process now going on in Soviet Russia, transforming Jewish city dwellers into land-toilers, and the scheme talked of in connection with this for the creation of a Jewish agricultural settlement in Southern Russia is editorially commented upon by the “Wiener Morgen Zeitung”.

“They (the communists) have given permission to Russian Jews to settle in the unpopulated region of South Russia and even to build a Jewish peasant state there! Excellent. They could not be more generous. Only one condition is imposed in connection with this excellent beginning: the Jews themselves bear the expenses of this new State. The Soviet Government does not give one cent for this purpose. Now, the Jews of Russia have to face a peculiar problem. No less than a state is being given to them, after their clothes and shoes were removed; at a time when they do not know whether they will be able to obtain food for their children for the next few hours, how can they know what to do with this territory? It is obvious that every Russian Jew would be ready to sell his share in the proposed State in South Russia for a loaf of bread.”

COMMENTS ON REFUGEES EMERGENCY CAMPAIGN

The Warsaw “Haint” treats editorially the campaign of the American Committee on Jewish Refugees for half a million dollars for the purpose of helping the stranded refugees and, if possible, affording them an opportunity of going to Palestine.

“Such a plan is within the limits of reality”, the paper states. “Were it a question of what to do with 100,000 or more emigrants, the Palestine solution would be insufficient. But 10,000? In the course of the last summer alone, 10,000 Jewish immigrants arrived in Palestine. Why cannot we do the same with another 10,000? Logic sides with the Zionists’ solution of the problem. However, the Zionists themselves did not venture to think of this.

“Now a report from America states that a campaign for half a million dollars is under way for the purpose of helping these stranded Jews, and, if possible, affording them an opportunity to go to Palestine. This is being done, not by Zionists, but by Jews of the type of Louis Marshall and his associates. Palestine is no longer a Zionists Utopia; it is no longer a dream. Should this plan be realized two things will be accomplished: the emigrants will find a refuge and a home, and Palestine will be looked upon as an affair of practical importance. There are many Jews who have yet to be convinced of this.”