Bill Pending in Sejm to Void Czaristic Prohibition of Land Purchase by Jews

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

A bill which is now pending in the Polish Sejm for the abolition of the Czaristic prohibition on the purchase of land by Jews and Poles in the territory now constituting the eastern provinces of the Polish Republic, called forth a sharp conflict between Prime Minister Bartel and Deputy A. Hartglass of the Club of Jewish Deputies.

The bill was introduced by the government and aims at the abolition of the limitations imposed by the Czaristic law concerning the territory described. The government text of the bill provides that the limitation against Poles be abolished. In the judical committee of the Sejm the text was changed, at the motion of Deputy Hartglass, to read: all citizens, since the Czaristic prohibition concerned both Poles and Jews.

At the second reading of the bill which took place Saturday afternoon at the plenary session of the Sejm, Prime Minister’s demand, reminding him of the fact that the government had promised to abolish the Czaristic limitations imposed upon the Jews.

Deputy Jeremitsch, a White Russian, joined Deputy Hartglass in objecting to the term, Poles, expressing fear that if the government text is permitted to stand, White Russians of the Greek Orthodox faith, living in that territory, would now fall under the limitations. Prime Minister Bartel allayed the fears of Deputy Jeremitsch, but ignored the argument of Deputy Hartglass.

A speaker in behalf of the Polish Socialist Party, P. P. S. supported Deputy Hartglass’s motion. The deputies of the pro-government bloc moved that the vote on the question be postponed and that the bill again be referred to the judicial committee, for further consideration. This motion was rejected by the deputies. A vote was taken on the merits of the bill as it stands and adopted in the text of the judicial committee, that is retaining the words, “all citizens.” The bill’s third reading was postponed for a later date.