Poland’s Economic Policies Declass Jews, Gruenbaum Charges

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Polish Jewry as a whole faces the same economic fate as the large mass of Jews in Soviet Russia, now belonging to the declassed category, if the economic policy of the Polish Government continues as it is at present.

This was the burden of the accusation directed against the Polish Government by deputy Isaac Gruenbaum, in a declaration he read in behalf of the Club of Jewish Deputies, including the conciliatory deputies from Galicia, during the discussion on the government budget now going on in the Sejm

Increasing taxation mainly affects the urban population, which is largely Jewish. At the same time the government budget does not meet the needs of the Jewish population, notwithstanding the repeated presentations of the Club of Jewish Deputies. Many of the disabilities imposed upon Jews by the Czaristic laws are still in force in Poland, notwithstanding the fact that the Civil Code of the Republic has been changed. The process of forcing the Jewish masses out of their economic positions is going on both because of the new economic structure created in Poland following the World War and because of the policies pursued by the Government. A process of declassing the Jewish masses is going on in Poland in a manner similar to the process of Soviet Russia, with the only difference that while in Russia this was due to the upheaval of the revolution, in Poland it is being performed by the process of evolution. The attempts made by Polish Jews at self-aid, it is true, are not interfered with by the Government, but it is equally true that the government is doing nothing to further and assist these efforts. Generally, the government is pursuing a policy of revenge for the policy of the Jewish leaders during the parliamentary elections. It is striving to demoralize the Jewish masses politically. The Jewish representatives will, Deputy Gruenbaum concluded, continue their fight for the national and civic rights of Polish Jewry.