Appeals to Public Opinion to End Jewish Attacks and Numerus Clausus

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

What appears to be an earnest plea to Hungarian Christian public opinion for the cessation of anti-Jewish attacks and discrimination, in particular for the abolition of the numerus clausus limiting the number of Jewish students in Hungarian colleges and universities, was made by Count Klebelsberg, Minister of Education, in charge of enforcement of the discriminatory law for many years.

In an article published in the Hungarian press, the Minister of Education appeals to the Christian population to consent to what he now terms the unavoidable necessity for changing the numerus clausus policy.

The arguments offered for this change are the following: The damaging results expected of the numerus clausus policy have now materialized. The numerus clausus law has influenced the press throughout the world as well as the financial factors against Hungary. It has created abroad anti-Hungarian opinion. This was aggravated by the continuous recurrence of anti-Jewish attacks in the colleges of the country. Hungarian complaints before international bodies over the suppression of her minorities in the new states were met with indifference, having no effect because of the anti-Jewish agitation in Hungary. In fact, it is now proven, that the numerus clausus law has done Hungary more harm than good, Count Klebelsberg argues in his article.

Commenting on this plea of the Minister of Education, the leading liberal daily “Pester Lloyd” states today that it is for the first time that Count Klebelsberg expresses himself with a measure of sincerity on the question of the numerus clausus. The question that may now be asked is the paper states, why is the government satisfied to make only quarter-steps instead of taking a full step at one time and legally abolishing the numerus clausus? The second question which is opportune is why do the authorities regularly remain powerless toward a group of 150 riotous students?