Jewish Press of Poland Not Optimistic over Results of Filipowicz’ N. Y. Statement

While the Polish press is maintaining silence on the assurances given American Jewish leaders last week by the Polish ambassador to the United States, Titus Filipowicz, that Poland would shortly take steps to relax the heavy taxation on the Jewish city-dwellers and to relieve the economic position of the Jewish population, the Jewish press continues to devote pages of comment to the subject and expresses doubt whether these assurances will be translated into definite action.

In connection with Mr. Filipowicz’ statement that taxation will be eased, the Jewish papers point to the recent statement of the finance minister that it will be necessary to keep up the taxes in order to enable the state to support agriculture. Thanking the American Jews for their action the Jewish press here appears doubtful whether help should come from New York, adding that Polish Jews prefer to settle the differences in Warsaw.

Writing in the Novydziennik, Dr. Joshua Thon, a member of parliament, says that the Polish Jews do not want to depend on foreign influence as the Jews of Russia did in Czarist days. They prefer to settle their problems at home, he stated. As for the preduction that the Czarist restrictions would be abolished, Dr. Thon feels that the importance of this matter has been somewhat overemphasized since their abolition is as important to the prestige of Poland as it is for the improvement of the Jewish situation.

Stressing the fact that Polish Jews are still treated like step-children, barred from public office and unable to obtain work in state enterprises, Dr. Thon says he is unaware of any tax reform but nevertheless voices satisfaction with Mr. Filipowicz’ statement because he considers it binding on the Polish government and hopes that the government will use it as a basis for action.

The organ of the Agudath Israel, sees the Filipowicz statement as not in accord with the facts and deplores the fact that the tragedy of the Jewish situation in Poland should have been discussed in New York instead of in Warsaw.