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1
OfHCML ORGflll BRITISH COLUIIIBIfl JCUIRV
Controlled and Published by Vancouver Jawish Administrative Council
VOL. Xin, No. 27
Eleventh Ave. and Oak St. VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA, FEIBAY, SEPT. 14, 1945
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POLISH GOVERMENT IS URGED TO ADOPT VIGOROUS POLICY
• LONDON (WNS)—Unless the Warsaw Govermnent embarks upon a more active policy of curbing anti-Semitic outbreaks and violence in Poland there is danger that the recently reported anti-Jewish riots may assume an even more dangerous character. This view was expressed here by Polish-Jewish circles on the b?>S!S of reliable information reaching them from private sources in Poland. One Polish-Jewish leader here,
whose name cannot be divulged for reasons of security, declared that in view of what is transpiring in Poland today it is evident wJiy Polsh soil was chosen by the Nazis as the chief centre of extermination of Jews, He said: "It is now clear that certain elements of the Polish nation shared in Hitler's slaughter of the Jews. It is also clear that other elements in Poland are determined to Hceep the Jewish property which they stole with the aid of the Germans during the occupation period. Every Jew* retiuning to Poland is looked upon by them as a potential challenge to their 'righf to the property of the Jews who did not survive." Another Polish-Jewish leader Nauded the Warsaw Government for its promptness in condemning the excesses against Jews. He said, however, that mere protests and condemnations are not sufficient. As long as the Polish Jews are vised as a pawn in the struggle between the Polish Govenmient and the reactionary regime, he noted, **the position of the siun^iv-ing Jews in Poland will renuiih precarious."
Weizmarm Witt^i Resign As Reported
• JERUSALEM (WNS)—Reports of Dr. Weizmann's resignation from active participation in the work of the Jewish Agency's oflKce in London are not true, it was declared here at a press conference by Dr. Bernard Joseph, legal adviser to the agency.
Mr. Joseph said he spoke in: the name of the Jewish Agency executive. He was emphatic in stating that Dr. Weizmaim "remains president of the Jewish Agency and will fulfill his duties as sudi."
Rabbi Judah-Leib Pishman, Mi^achi leader, declared here at s press conference that the threatened resignation of the Mizrachi from the World Zionist executive was due to a statement made at the World Zionist Conference in London by Dr. Weizmann that he had no faith in a Jewish state.
Attemptto Publish Protocols of Zion In New York
• NEW YORK (WNS)— The Mayor's Committee
on imity in this city disclosed this week Ibat Ernest F. Elmhurst, one of the defendants in the recent sedition trial in Washington, has placed an order with a New York printer for 5,000 copies of the "Protocols of Zion", the notorious anti-Semitic forgery.
At the same time ths" committee repored that various hate groups, including the so called Protestant War Veterans, have resumed their activities in the New York area.
It was currently reported here that a motley collection, of former Nundists, members of the Amexi-cari.First Party and of other anti-Semitic and anti-dembcriatic bodies had met here imder the aegis of former Senator Robert Reynold's "American Nat'onalist Parry with the viewl to formmg a lOCiai chapter of that organization. Reported present at the meeting were Elmer Elmhurst, sedition defentant and Eugene Sanctuary.
The meeting, which was attended by about 125 persons, reverberated with such slogans as "end immigration into the United States," "deport the Jews to Germany," "we want a Christian America only, "beware of the international bankers."
SAM CABR
Sam Carr Speaks At Center Wed.
• SAM CARR, well known labor leader and National Organizer of the L.P.P. of Canada, will speak on the important subject "Jewry and the Struggle for Post-war Progress," Wednesday, September 19th, at 8 p.m. at the Jewish Commtmity Centre. Mr. Sam Carr is well known as an outstanding speaker for his clari^ of thou^t and his vast amoimt of knowledge of international aiid Canadian problems.
You are cordially invited to come and hear Sam Carr lecture, arranged by the Jewish Progressive Club.
Truman Statement On Palestine Charged Distorted
• NEW YORK (WNS)—The American Coimcil for Judaism last week issued a statement declaring that President Tnunan's recent statement on Palestine is "the most realistic statement to have issued from the White House and the most damaging to Zionist objectives."
Declaring that "Zionists and non-Zionists would do well to ponder the significance of President Truman's statement," the Coimcil says that tliis statement "led to innumerable interpretations from many sources, Jewish and non-Jewish."
"It is a matter of considerable regret," the Council states, "that these interpretations should in so many instances distort the meaning of the President's utterance beyond recognition. The headlines that have appeared in the Jewish and Yiddish press as to an 'endorsement' by the United States of a Jewish state have, as appears from the text, no basis in fact. The Jewish Agency spoke politically not interpretively, when it expressed its gratification at this statement as a proposal to reestablish a national state."
Nazi Helpers Get Sentences
• BUCHAREST (WNS) — A number of Jews who were leaders of the Central Office for Jewish Affairs, a body organized by the Nazis in November of 1941 to handle Jewish affairs, went on trial this week on the charge of collaborating with the Nazis in carrying out anti-Jewish policies, of extorting money from Jews, of making fortunes by blackmailing Jews and of deporting Jews to Transnistria and various labor camps.
If convicted the defendants face prison terms ranging up to 20 years.
Radu Lecca, Jewish Affairs Commissioner, who was appointed by Gestapo leader Richter, responsible for Jewish matters in Rumania, is not included among the present defendants. They include Dr. Sandor Gingold, chief of the Central Office, Adolf Grossman, its financial chief, Jaques Leon, Lecca's liason officer, who is charged with blackmailing Jews, and one Grunberg, alias Wilman, the Central Office's press chief who wrote an article urging Palestine Jews to surrender to the Nazis when Field Marshal Erwin Rommel reached El Alamein three years ago.
LOST
« IF ANYONE picked up a light Fairway -windbreaker in Cabin 5 Camp Hatikvah, please notify ALma 1767.
Franz Werfel Dies In U.S.A.
• HOLLYWOOD (WNS)-Franz Werfel, Czech > Jewish poet, draamtist and novelist, died here this week of a heart attack. Werfel, who was 5i, had been suffering from a heart ailment for several years.
Best known in the United States for his novels "The Forty Days of Musa Dagh" and "The Song o£ Bemadette," Werfel came here to live in 1910 after a hair-breaddi escape from the Nazis, whom he had fought for many years. He had been in America previously, in 1935, when Max Reinhardt produced his "Eternal Road", a pageant based on the Old Testament.
Stalin Interested In Palestine
e TEL AVrV (WNS)-Marshal Joseph Stalin decared at a reception in the Kremlin for members of the Polish Government that the Soviet Government is "seriously" interested in an international solution of the Palestine question, it was djsclosed here at a press conference by M. Klein-baum, leader of Polish Jews in Palestine.
Mr. Klienbaimi said the disclosure was made by Dr. Emil Som-merstein, leader of Polish Jewry, who attended the Kremlin fete. Dr. Sommerstein was quoted as having said that when Stalin was asked whether he knew what the CSermans did to Polish Jewry he replied: "Yes, and we shall avenge it." When Dr. Somerstein asked the Soviet Greneralissimo whether the Soviet Government v/as interested in an international solution of the Palestine problem he replied: "Certainly and seriously." When Dr. Sommerstein asked Stalin whether he was averse to having his statement made public he said "No."
Prof. Drummond Speaks on Russia To Open Meeting
• PROF. F. G. Drummond, professor of economics ^ at the University of B.C. will be the guest speaker at an ojien meeting of B'nai B'rith Lodge next Tuesday night in the Community Centre.
Subject of his address will be "How the Russian Economic System works." Ptof. Drummond has made a very intensive study of the Russian system and is considered an authority on this topic. . The doors of the B'nai B'rith Lodge will be opened to the, public at 9 p.m. in order to hear this outstanding event
A.Z.A., B.B. Auxiliary and all other members of the community are invited to attend.
Wave of Polish Terrorism Against Jews Increases
• GENEVA (WNS)—The wave of terrorism against the Jewish population in Poland is still gaining momentum and in the city of Lodz alone 128 Jews were slain in the month of July^ according to information reaching here from
Arab Diplomats Summoned To LondonConference
• LONDON (W]STS)-~The official annoimcem e n t this week by the British Foerign Office that British diplomats in the Arab countries had been summoned to London for a conference on the situation in the Middle East is being viewed here in authoritative circles as evidence that the solution of the Palestine problem is inunin-en.t
Following the disclosure by a . spokesman for the British Foreign Office that the Arab-Jewish ques-. tion wovdd be a major issue in the ■ conferences which Foreign Minister Ernest Bavin is to hold with the diplomats, it was reported that Abdul Rahaman Azzam Bey, secretary general of the Arab League, was on his way to London whare he expects to present the Arab position on the Palestine question.
Indicating tliat a solution, or attempt at solution, of the Palestine problem was imnunent was a report reaching here from Jerusalem in which Prince Feisal of Saudi-Arabia was reported as having asserted at a press conference that an agreement on the Palestine question "will shortly be raached."
Some circles, here, however believe that the London coi^«renc2 will avoid direct tau^s on the Palestine question. These sources base their opinion on the fact that Lord Gort, High Commissioner for Palestine, is not to participate in the discussions. These elements veer the view that the conference was not called to settle any definite issue, but as an avenue of merely furnishing detailed information on the Near East problems to the British Foreign Office.
There is varied opinion on the Palestine question among the diplomats who were invited to the conference. But the Jewish Agency is watching the situation.
A prediction that Britain will annoimce its deo'sion on inc Palestine question "before tfje end of the year" was made here this weak by the official French news agency. The agency's report said that before annpuncing its decision the British Government will hold a joint confersnce of Arab and Jewish leaders.
reliable sources m iroiand.
In the small towns of Poland, where there are only few Jewish survivors, the situation is even worse, the reiKxrt disclosed. Many Jews who only recently retxumed to their home towns are reported fleeing pell mell in the hope of finding shelter. Bands of organized terrorists, often stronged than the local police authorities, are roxmding up Jews, terrorizing them, beating them and stealing their property'. In some towns the terrorists were, reported to have issued ultimatums to the Jewish residents, warning them that unless they leave they would be killed. In several towns the terrorists are reported to have slain the surviving Jews who failed to heed the warning.
In Radom, a comparitively large city, the Polish terrorists posted notices that imless the Jews leave the city within twenty-f oxu: hours they would wipe out the entire Jewish population. Most Jews took the warning at its value cind fled.
The pli^t of the Jews throu^-out Poland, the report disclosed, is desperate. Jews are afraid of speaking Yiddish in pxiblic for fear of being attacked by the terrorists. Many Jews, pai-ticularly women, are using spurious documents to conccai their identity, as was the case diuring the Hitler regime.
Jewish retiumees who lingered in concentration camps before Poland's liberation have made it clear in no imcertain terms that if the doors of Palestine were open to Jewish populatin all of Polish Jewry would trek even by foot to the Holy Land.
NOTICE: Will anyone who has received two issues of the New Year's Issue of the Jewish Western Bulletin, kindly retimi one to 2675 Oak St. Thank You.
NOTICE: It would be very much appreciated if readers who no longer need their copies of the issues of the Bulletin dated June 23rd and Fsbmary 23rd, will send them to 2675 Oak Street.
Chief Rabbi Named To Replace Zolli
• ROME (WNS)—Prof. David Prato, who was Chief Rabbi of Rome from the middle of 1936 imtil the end of 1939, has returned to his post. He takes the place of of Dr. Israel Zolli, who has become converted to Catholicism.
The new Chief Rabbi is now in Jerusalem. But he is expected to arrive here in time to officiate dviring the High Holy Days.
Dr. Prato headed a Jewish school in Florence for 20 years before becoming Chief Rabbi of Alexandria, Egypt, in 1927, a position he held until he came to Rome in 1936. He resigned the Chief Rabbinate of Rome after the Mussolini Government adopted an anti-Jewish policy and caxit^ *o Palestine to live.
Memorial Services for Murder Victims
• MOSCOW (WNS)—Twenty-thovisand persons gathered in Lublin this week at ceremonies commemorating the 2,000,000 persons, most of them Jews, who were murdered by the Nazis in the Maidanek camp.
The furnaces and gas chambers have been converted into a mus-eum in which the relics of the victims are on view.
The Central Trade Unions Commissi Dn of Poland has adopted a resolution condemning the recent anti-Jewish riots in Cracow and demanding a purge of undesirable elements, according to a report from Warsaw received here.
Warsaw Butcher To Be Tried
• PARIS (WNS) — S. S.
Lieutenant-General Jur-gen Stroop, liquidator of the Warsaw Ghetto in the spring of 1945, is now in the hands of American military authorities i n Germany, where he is held on the charge of inciting civilians to murder American fliers who made forced landings in Germany during the war.
The evidence whidi has so far been compiled against Stroop by the American authorities shows that he led a regiment of SS troops in an effort to round up Jews for labor camps. The re^-ment, including 50 tanks, was wiped out by a band of 6,000 Jews which was armed by weai>ons that lay hidden in sewers and other undergroimd Ihide-outs. When the regiment was defeated, the Nazis . sent planes over the ghetto, pouring gas into the sewers. After reducing the, Warsaw-.ghetto, to a rubble, Stroop annoimced in an official proclamaticm, that the "Warsaw ghetto has ceased to exist." He was rewarded for his cruelty by being promoted to command SS for the eitwos ain ETA mand SS formations in western GSermany.
NOTICE:
New lists of European Survivors have been received by the Centre.
Peretz School Opening Date Changed to Oct, 1st
• WE WISH to announce that the Peretz school will open October 1st and not September 18 as previously anounced. Our principal, who has just retimied from overseas is not able to obtain his discharge papers before September 20. After which date he will proceed to Vancouver. The school will definitely start on October 1.
Resolution Urged To Ban Anti Semitism
• LONDON (WNS)-The board of Deputies of British Jews adopted a resolution this week urging the adoption of legislation outlawing utterances or publications "calculated to arouse hatred, ridicule or contempt against any section of the community distinguishable by race, creed or color."
Speaking for the opponents of the resolution, Neville Laski contended that "remedy could be worse than the disease."
Prof. Selig Brodsky, president of the Board, took the view that the most effactive means of influencing public op/nion would be to raise the problem in the open. At the same time he disclosed that when the trial of the German war criminals opens this October the indictments will contain specific counts with regard to crimes against Jews generally and the policy of extermination of Jews in particular. Prof, Bodetsky also said that ha was sorry to report that Britain was lagging behind the United States in the matter of helping the surviving Jews Europe.
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