THE JEWISH CHRONICLE

6

Why Dr. Solomon Solis Cohen Refused to
Take Part in Zionist Convention
at Baltimore

Scores "Autocratic Domination" of Leaders-Mentions "Steam Roller
of Party Machine"--Says Lipsky Misrepresented Movement.

EON. HENRY MORGENTHAU ACCCRES IN CALLING
ON MICHIGAN CITIES FOR RELIEF

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In an open letter replying to a re-
quest that lie accept an election as
delegate to the Baltimore Zionist
Convention, Dr. Solomon Solis Cohen
writes as follows:
"My Dear Sir-I have given serious
consideration to all that you have
said, but I cannot change my decision
not to accept an election as delegate
to the Zionist Convention at Balti-
more.
"I feel, however, that it is due to
you and other friends who have urged
me to go there and work for what
they and I consider to be right to set
forth a few of the facts which, in my
judgment, would make any attempt
to do so worse than futile.
"If to believe in the restoration of
Israel to the Holy Land and of the
H oly Land to Israel, and in the obli-
gation of Jews in the Diaspora to
make themselves ready for the high
duties of that restoration, constitutes
a Zionist, I was born one; and I have
so remained, and will remain, while I
live. I have been a member of the
Zionist Organization since its founda-
tion, and have publicly defended and
advocated its policies from that time
on. In condemning and repudiating
the present administration, namely,
the Provisional Committee fcr Zion-
ist Affairs in America and the Execu-
tive Committee of the Federation of
American Zionists, I abate no whit
from my loyalty to the great cause
they misrepresent.
"Unfortunately, the Zionist Organi-
zation in America has been allowed to
. fall under an autocratic (or oligar-
chic) domination, firmly entrenched,
thoroughly well organized, subtle in
its methods and unscrupulous in its
determination to hold its power. For
that • untoward event I share with
other negligent members of the fed-
eration a responsibility unpleasant to
contemplate; and I admit that the
duty of remedying it is ours. But any
effort at the Baltimore Convention
either to expose the misdeeds of this
oligarchy masquerading in the name
of democracy or to 'procure such a
hearing as might be • the basis • for •a
deliberative discussion of the grave
iasues before us would meet with ex-
actly the same result as an attempt to
go counter to the steam-roller of the
party machine in the ordinary po-
litical convention.
"What occurred last year when the
attempt was made to obtain a fair de-
bate upon the Congress issue? The
chairman of the Executive Committee,
who presided over the meeting and
who will again preside at Baltimore,
proclaimed that both sides should
have a fair hearing, and in his com-
ments expressed the.opinion that such
a hearing had been given. You have,
therefore, a concrete illuitration of
what this official considers fair.
Further specimens of his official
and personal ideas of honor and of
good faith may be found in the circu-
lar letter "To the Organized Zionists
of Greater New York," republished in
the American. Hebrew for June 15,
1917, on page 157. The state of af-
fairs shown by this letter-a.state of
affairs of which you may remember,
you and others have denied the exist-
ence, when I have hitherto given it
as a reason for my inability to act any
longer with the elements now in con-
trol of the Zionist organization-the
state of affairs now plainly revealed
by Mr. Lipsky's own words over Mr.
Lipsky's own signature-makes it im-
possible for Zionist activities in the
United States, so long as they shall be
conducted by the author of that letter
and persons of like ethical standards,
to be other than a source of harm to
Zionism and Zionists, to Judaism and
Jews. How can any one who realized
the conditions give even the nominal
support of his presence to an adminiS-
tration so Perverse, an organization
so perverted?
If in deprecation of this view, you
should point to a number of high-

THE AMERICAN JEWISH RELISR COMMITTIS

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minded, devoted, honorable men and
1917
women-Dr. Harry Friedenwald, Miss
Szold, Mrs. Joseph Fels, Judge Mack,
Dear Sir:-
••••••
Mr.. Lcwin-Epstein and others-who
...
Your splendid editorial entitled
as members and nominal participants
in the work of the Provisional Com-
'Michigan and the War Relief' is greatly
••••• ■ •••
mittee or the Executive Committee,
•••••••••
•
apprecioted by me.
might seem to approve the acts I con-
•••••••••
•••••
demn, and to share the responsibility
I particularly endorse the state
therefor, I can only express the con-
ment that such cities as Saginaw, ray
viction that these sincere and upright
Jews and Jewesses are like yourself,
City, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Jackson,
in that they do not, as yet, realize the
Lansing and even smaller communities
conditions. Either they and you are
than these must nobly rise to the oppor-
still as blind, and as easily deceived
•••••
as-I confess-I was, even so lately
tunity that now confronts then, to do
as two years ago; or else you and
their full share in the saving of their
they err alike in believing that the
cause we all have at heart will be hurt
stricken brethren.'
by frank speaking. But truth cannot
Very cord lly yours,
do harm. It is through the suppres-
sion of truth that wrong gains its
temporary triumphs.
Two things have served to open my
eyes.
One was the constant lack of good
EDITOR
faith, the ap7arent inability even to
Jewieh Chronicle
Detroit
understand its revirements, mani-
Michigan
fested by the potent representatives of
the Zionist Organization wing of the
Congress Committee in various meet-
1D1:1111B
ings and conferences in which I par-
t' cipated (or of which I received re- verbatim) "that Jews, as a class, lack that honor as well as honesty is un-
port) in the endeavor to bring about
derstood and cherished by the great
the peace and unity for which I had the sense of honor." I ventured, in mass; and not merely by the de-
personal
correspondence,
to
challenge
pleaded at 'the Boston Convention-a that assertion, and when the author scendants of a once-fortunate minor-
plea made while I was yet blind to the
Philadelphia, I had a conver- ity. But if the Zionist treasury ac-
purposes and methods of the chair- visited
sational
discussion of that, among counts and the letter of Mr. Lipsky
man of the Executive Committee and
other
topics.
In his letters' and in are to he the criterions by which a, na-
his coadjutors.
our talk, Mr. Leroy-Beaulieu distin- tion is to be judged, I should hay to
The other \VP S the refernce to the guished-and I concede, correctly- confess that I was wrong and our
discrepancies, the misleading state- between honor and honesty. He ad- friendly French critic right.
ments, and the diversions of trust mitted that among Jews as a whole,
As to the treasury reports, they
funds, shown in the various Zionist the standard of what may be termed may show no dishonesty. Thus far,
treasury reports-a disclosure made, property-honesty is equal, if . not su- they have shown no sense of honor.
not so much by the late Rabbi Fried- perior, to that of mankind in general.
As to Mr. Lipsky's letter-let it
lander-good, sincere, lamented soul! Thieves and rascals exist among all speak for itself. Here is a delicious
-as by the omissions, evasions and natcns and races-and among Jews bit:
shufflings in the so-called explana- certainly is no greater proportion
"We desire to warn Zionists not to allow
tions put forth by Secretary Jacob de than among Gentiles. But he insisted, their zeal to overcome their discretion or their
sense of propriety. They should act
Haas.
notwithstanding all I urged to the
and tactfully on June 10. It would Le
I have not yet seen the complete contrary, that honor-the intangible gently
a great calamity if any Zionist vote more than
explanation that the Provisional Com- obligation of sentiment rather than once in elections. Such action would be most
mittee long ago promised to publish. logic, to standards of an indefinable, reprehensible and injurious to our prestige as
moral force in Jewish life. Every Zionist
Perhaps it will be made at Baltimore. but exacting nicety-is not in equal a should
use his influence to prevent double or
Until at least that opportunity has degree our possession. Among cer- triple voting. Every voter is entitled to only
vote. The Zionists should be most zealous
passed without being availed of, I
tain minority groups he admitted, it one seeing
that this rule is observed. The pro
withhold comment on this episode. exists, as an inheritance from ances- in
tection of the constitutional basis of the Con-
But may I not caution you, my friend, tors who cherished it and in turn im- gress is essential in order that the Congress
not. to accept vague generalities, or pressed it upon their descendants- may in its development be the expression of
the law•abiding, organized sentiment of Amen•
the exhibition of an elaborate book- and he said, in dismissing the subject can
Jewry."
keeping system, or even a confession -"M. Solis Cohen, pardon me, but
Said the benevolent-looking gentle-
of guesswork in a treasury report (!) you have not yet seen your people- man to the gamins standing about the
-as a satisfactory accounting for a only some of them!"
street organ: "It would be a great
great trust fund?
Leroy-Beaulieu was in error. I shame to drop a hot penny in that
Leroy-Beaulieu, in his sympathetic have seen and talked and worked with, monkey's hand." And he professed
study of "Israel among the Nations," and observed Jews of all classes from surprise when the monkey howled.
says (I quote from memory and not all parts of the earth, and I know
(Continued on page 15)

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-
Condensed Report of
_
owa

'

•

Commonwealth Savings Bank

of DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

At the close of business June 20, 1917, as called for by the Commissioner
of the Banking Department.
-
RESOURCES
Bonds, Mortgages, Loans and Discounts
$1,765,328.32
Furniture and Fixtures
13,593.18
Cash and due from banks in Reserve Cities
226,867.81

Capital Stock paid in
Surplus and Profits
Deposits ..

J. W. McCausey, President.
Frank Wolf, Vice-President.

LIABILITIES

$2,005,789.31

$ 496,000.00
105,892.27
1,403,897.04

$2,005,789.31
OFFICERS
Comfort A. Tyler, Vice-President.
F. H. Talbot, Cashier.

