Modification of the Nazi-inspired anti-Jewish laws in French Morocco is expected in the near future, following the announcement by Gen. Giraud yesterday that “the laws of racial discrimination, imposed on France by the Nazis, exist no more,” it was indicated here today by an authoritative source.
Unlike Algeria, Morocco is not constitutionally a part of France, but is nominally ruled by Sultan Sidi Mohammed, although real power is in the hands of the French Resident General, Gen. Auguste Nogues, who, it is charged, forced the Sultan to introduce the anti-Jewish decrees despite the latter’s unwillingness. While technically Gen. Giraud has no power to modify the laws in Morocco, the same authoritative source pointed out that in practice he has such power. It was noted that there are about 160,000 native Jews in Morocco as yet unaffected by Giraud’s action. Native Jews in Algeria are estimated to number only 110,000.
Government quarters here expressed satisfaction with Gen. Giraud’s announcement that the laws of racial discrimination have been abrogated. Observers here, however, expressed surprise at the portion of Gen. Giraud’s statement in which he announced cancellation of the Cremieux decree of 1870, which conferred citizenship on the native Jewish population of Algeria.
The abrogation of the Cremieux laws, it was pointed out here, may soon have practical repercussions in view of the Giraud announcement that municipal elections will shortly be held in Algiers. It will mean that for the first time since 1870, native Algerian Jews will not have the right to vote in those elections unless they have succeeded in obtaining citizenship in the meantime.
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.
