BUY MORE WAR BONDS VOL 6—NO. 15 THE JEWISH NEWS A Weekly Review 2114 Penobscot Bldg. of Jewish Events RA. 7956 Detroit 26, Michigan, December 29, 1944 * 34 ogiew 22 $3.00 Per Year; Single Copy, 10c Jews Battle Hungarian Troops As Liberation by Soviets Nears Thousands Reported Massacred in Budapest Resistance Ceases When Anti-Semitism Is Eased ZURICH (JTA) — With the liberation of Jews in Budapest expected momentarily as Russian troops completely encircled the Hungarian capital, Jewish- owned stores which were taken over by the govern- ment are being besieged by crowds , in a mad scram- ble for confiscated Jewish goods, it is revealed in Hungarian newspapers reaching here. The papers report that Hungarians are rushing to these stores and threaten the government sales- men there, some at the point of pistols, in an attempt to secure shoes, clothing and other articles which are now considered government property. At the same time the papers carry announcements inviting the population to buy stocks from Jewish firms which have passed into the hands of the government under the anti-Jewish legislation. Anti-Semitic Party Seizing Property The newspapers also carry an announcement by the Commissioner for Jewish Affairs authorizing members of the anti-Semitic Arrow Cross party to seize all movable Jewish belongings. Caretakers of buildings are instructed to admit to former Jewish dwellings anyone who displays a membership card in the Arrow Cross party. The instructions provide that food, clothing and crockery can be removed from. Jewish homes without any receipts, but lists must be made of jewelry, gold, s i 1 v e r, watches, clocks, furs and valuable carpets. Several Thousand Jews Massacred in Budapest JERUSALEM (JTA) — Several thousand Jews recently were taken by the pro-Nazi Hungarian police to a Budapest moving picture house and slaughtered, it was reported here this week. Their bodies were cast into the Danube, the report adds. The massacre is stated to have been a reprisal -for bitter battles which occurred between govern- ment troops and armed Jewish groups in various provincial towns of Hungary. As a reply to the mass- killing of the Jews in the Budapest theater, Jews in the Hungarian capital organized themselves into re- sistance units and, erecting barricades in the streets, engaged in battle with the Hungarian troops. The pro-Szalasy troops, supported by tanks and heavy artillery, succeeded in demolishing many buildings, but could not dislodge Jewish units from their posi- tions. The Jewish units, however, suffered seVere losses and many important Jewish leaders were killed, says the report. "The rapid advance of the Russian army toward Budapest compelled pro-Nazi Premier Sza- lasy to relax his rigorous anti-Jewish measures. Only then did the Jewish units cease their resistance", the report concludes. The Beacon of Freedom: The year 1945 enters the world arena in a crucial period Silver, Wise Resignations Climax U. S. Zionist Split for mankind ... The New Year is seriously challenged to be- come an era of peace and good will . . . and the "huddled masses yearning to breathe free" look to America and our Allies t o hold high the torch of freedom ... The dawn of the civic New Year 1945 emphasizes anew that the fight 'of the masses of European Jewry is our fight and that Rescue and ' Internal crisis reaches climax as co-chairmeen of Zionist Emergency Committee bow out, reportedly over differences of opinion among Zionist leaders in America over Palestine Resolution and other matters . . . Senate Foreign Relations Committee's shelving of measure is believed to have sharpened dispute bringing about the split. —Page 3 Rehabilitation become our major responsibilities in the fight for Victory and for Freedom . . . May 1945 prove worthy of the part it is to play in world history ... and may the actors in this great drama rise to the heights of the great roles as- signed to them. Committee of 70 .Starts Self-Study of Problems Self-analysis by agency boards and staffs recom- mended by Citizens' Committee as essential step in survey of Jewish Educational, Cultural and Recreational activities . . . Four-fold goal for study announced . . . program being watched by com- munities throughout the country. —Page 5