The Jewish relief committee operating in Brzese, scene of violent anti-Jewish excesses May 13, has already registered 600 families who suffered damages, it was announced here today.
The committee said there were still 500 families to be registered for relief.
Total damages, according to the committee’s estimates, will reach 1,400,000 zlotys (about $280,000). Original estimates of damages to Jewish property were about $400,000.
Two more persons, of more than 100 being held for trial in connection with the disorders, were sentenced in Brzesc today to six months each in jail. They were convicted of possessing goods looted from Jewish shops. Two others were previously convicted of participating in the rioting.
Twenty Jewish youths were under arrest in Wilno today in connection with yesterday’s two-hour protest strike against the Brzesc excesses. Kobryn authorities prohibited Jewish shops from closing during the strike. Police of Lwow and Kielce took the names of Jewish merchants who closed their shops.
The Polish press for the most part ignored the nation-wide strike, a few papers contenting themselves with reporting that 25 Jews were arrested in Warsaw. Anti-Semitic papers, on the other hand, carried derisive comment, some stating the Jews did good business during the strike.
One anti-Jewish organ, commenting on the American-Jewish relief contributions for the riot victims, pointed out that “money from America gives the Polish treasury more American currency.”
An attorney defending sixteen peasants on trial in Cracow for participating in an anti-Jewish foray against the town of Myslenice last year was rebuked today for describing as “heroes” the participants in the Brzesc pogrom of May 13.
Denouncing the defense counsel, a member of the anti-Semitic National Democratic party, the State’s Attorney declared that “glorification of such crimes” would not be countenanced by the court.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
