Hungarian Government Bill Modifying Numerus Clausus is Camouflage

Liberal Press and Jewish Leaders Deeply Disappointed; Government, Anxious to Maintain Prestige with League, Pushes Bill (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Marked disappointment in liberal and Jewish circles in Hungary accompanied the publication of the text of the bill introduced by the government into parliament, which had been heralded as amending the numerous clauses limiting the number of Jewish students in the universities. The bill shows that it does not in fact change the limitations existing which were the subject of international complaint, but rather is an attempt at camouflage.

The provisions of the bill which was made public here, as well as the ordinances giving the government authority to put the bill into effect, divide the applicants for admittance to the colleges and universities into several categories.

It was stated in well informed circles that Count Klebelsberg had secured the passive attitude of the insurgent parties with regard to the passage of this bill after he had shown them that the form which the present bill proposes to give cannot be attacked abroad, while it will not change the internal situation in any material way. It is expected that the passage of the bill will be brought about before December 4. The haste is intended to enable the government to notify the Council of the League of Nations at its forth-coming session of the change which allegedly has been brought about in conformity with Hungary’s promise to the League.

The opposition parties have declared that they will conduct a sharp fight against the bill, which they term a farce and which in reality makes the situation worse. Jewish leaders of all shades of opinion in Hungary arc deeply disappointed.

The numbers clauses question is today the burning issue in Hungarian political life. The entire liberal press rejects the terms of the bill which it asserts is a tragi-comerly. The papers declare that the new bill instead of abolishing the numerous clauses fortifies it. This opinion is also expressed in some of the government papers known for liberal tendencies.

The haste with which the new bill is being pressed is explained by the anxiety of the Hungarian leaders not to be charged by the League of Nations with failure to keep their promise. Vice-premier Vast is said to have declared to the reactionary leaders who are opposed to the bill that “God tolerates the Jews among the peoples of the world; we cannot expel them.”