•Page Two
Purely
Commentary
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
ZIONIST LINE-UP
American Zionists are lining up in • the
current -internal issue. • While the execu=
tive and adininistrative committees. of the
Zionist Organization of Anierica have _
taken a stand against Pr, :Abba. Hillel
Silver-, and his group, a number of dis-
tricts " throughout the land are support
ing Dr. Silver's militant viewpoint and
are demanding his return to leaderShip.
The situation is not helped any by
the government's ruling •against • the
holding of national conventions. But
there ought to be a 'way. out of the
dilemma. Since various communities are
taking definite stands in the issue that
is marked by so much internecine strife,
it should be possible to reach a decision
by a plebiscite of Zionists.
This commentator urges such action as
speedily as possible, and he sincerely
hopes that the stand will be in support
of Dr. Silver's return to. national leader-
ship in the Zionist movement.: The sooner
internal strife is ended; the better for'.all
concerned, and especially_ fot . the • un-
fortunate homeless Jews for. whom Pales-
tine's doors must be opened Wide:
Anne O'Hare McCormick, in one of
her, highly interesting cables to the New
York Times from Jetusalern, -makes this
statement:
"Meeting a trainload of refugees ar-
riving in Palestine from concentration
camps of Eastern' Europe is an. : experi.
ence that explains why it is difficult to
be objective or even rational on the - subz-
ject of immigration into this contentious
country. The immigration' issue is tied
into a ,Gordian knot with issues larger
than itself, larger than Zionism or - pan-
Arabism. At the center of the knot is
- the question whether or not there is go-
ing to come out of this holocaust a world
fit for Jews to live in, therefore fit for
any human being to live in." •
Her description of the horrors experi-
enced by the refugees • amply proves the
contention that one can not. be Objective
or rational, that speedy action is needed
to rescue human beings.
This has motivated Dr. Silver to act
vigorously in the present Zionist emer-
gency—and his supporters refuse to ad-
mit that he had contravened decisions
of the American Zionist Emergency
Council any more than his antagonists,
all of whom had backed up the Pales-
tine Resolution in Congress. It was only
when Zionism had suffered a temporary
political defeat in Washirigton that love
fled from the window of Zionist head-
quarters and the internal conflict began.
Dr. Silver IS a consistant and vigorous
•figfiter for justice for Jewry and Pales-
tine, and the Zionist constituency will
surely reject any plan to eliminate him
from leadership.
The errors committed by our leaders
in control of the movement must be cor-
rected immediately and Dr. Silver must
be recalled to active service. The Zionists
of -America must act. The Zionists of
Detroit and other communities should
act promptly—and this . commentator
urges that they act in support.: of Dr.
Silver.
* * *
HIGH SCORE FOR HOROWITZ
If a Horowitz were to run for constable
in Detroit, the chances are that he would
be defeated. This is the inevitable result
of a democratic political set-up in which
constituencies are unfamiliar with their
• candidates and choose their public offi-
cials on the sound of the names. Preju-
dices thus dominate situations, and very
good men and women often have been
defeated for office as a result of it
Fortunately, these prejudices are com-
pletely wiped out in the fields of music,
the arts and the sciences. Vladimir Horo-
witz, acknowledged to be the world's
greatest living pianist_ proved it when
he appeared in concert here Jan. 17.
An overflow audience, requiring the sit-
ting of patrons in the pit of Masonic
Temple, with a complete sell-out record-
ed many days in advance of the concert,
attested to a recognition of• genius. It
was not the name that counted, but his
mastery of his art. He was acclaimed
because he is a great musician,
Would that Merit could be made to
count as well in all fields of human
endeavor.
* * *
THE JEWS' WAR SACRIFICES
Much is being made of the claim that
Gen. Cherniakhovsky, one of the victori-
ous Russian generals, is a Jew. It has been
established that he is not Jewish.
That should not becloud the fact that
Jews are making great sacrifices in this
war and are displaying heroism on all
fronts. Next to Russia, we have lost more
.people than any other great nation.
We mention this in the hope that this
sad fact will not be forgotten at the peace
table..
Friday, , January 26, 1945
- THE JE-WISH NEWS
Strictly
Confidential
JDC Rescue Work in France
. BY BARON GUY de ROTHSCHILD
EDITOR'S NOTE: Baron de Rothschild, a leading member of the French
Jewish community, writes with intimate knowledge of . the condition of the
-Jews of France during the four years of Nazi occupation. He • speaks with
authority of the life-saving piogram carried out by the Joint Distribution
Committee, a beneficiary of the United Jewish Appeal whose causes are
supported in
i DettOit by the Allied Jewish Campaign of the Jewish Welfare
Federation, through the War Chest.
THE POLITICAL SCENE
Is it true that the ex-Mufti of Jerusa-
lem is •now in Russia? . . . Rumors in
Washington say that the ex-Mufti, realiz-
ing that Hitler has lost the war, man-
aged to reach Russia, where he is alleg-
edly offering to bring about a closer rap-
proachement between the Arab and
Moscow . . . Zionist leaders are very un-
easy over the fact that the Arabs are
gaining more and more ground with So-
viet authorities . . . In Palestine, young
Arabs have organized a Society of
Friends of the Soviet Union . . . Similar
organizations are now being formed by
Arabs in other countries neighboring
Palestine . . . And in the Soviet Union a
number of Moslems have been permit-
ted, for the first time since the Revolu-
tion, to make a pilgrimage to Mecca . . .
It is felt that the position of the Palestine
Arabs will improve, vis a vis Russia, as
a result of negotiations now going on be-
tween the USSR and King Ibn Saud for
the establishment of 'diplomatic relations
between the Soviet Union and Saudi Ara-
bia . . . Whatever the attitude of the So-
viet Government may be towards the
Jews, it becomes more and more obvious
that its interest in the Arab countries is
constantly growing . . . And there are
millions of Moslems in the USSR . . .
At the same time, we learn that the at-
tention of Zionist leaders in America
was drawn to the fact that the New
Palestine, official ZOA organ, carried an
article in which a certain publication
claiming to support Russia was attacked
. . In a letter to ZOA executives one of
the editors of this publication warned
that everything the Zionists in America
write about Russia is being carefully
watched in Moscow.
-
THINGS TO WATCH
The War Production Board must- feel
rather uneasy about • the war : contracts,
that --are being •handled- by , the Western:
Shade Cloth Co.' of Chicago . . One of ,
its engineers , is none other than Jbe Mc
Williams, the notorious Bundist and Pro :.
fessional anti-Semite . . . President Re-
genery. , of the company. • is one of the
leaders of the . America First. Comxnittee
and rather -likes Joe McWilliams :• .
The report about Joe's" employment on
War contracts - isn't new=-but it is news
that this pro-Nazi propagandist is en-
joying the protection of important Mid-
western political figures . . "If there
has been a -jump in the .number of anti,- -
Semitic V outbreaks , among some - young
people in V our country lately, this is not •
just a case of "juvenile delinquency" . .
This is a = tip-off that Hitler's secret
weapon is being put to work."
This quote is from a statement' by
Frank Sinatra in "Counterattack" of Jan.
15:
We saw no newspaper reports of this:
That while the Jewish community of
Englewood, N. J., attended High Holy
day services last year a well-:organized
band of youngsters punctured all the
tires of the cars parked near -the syna-
gogue.
•
A story you . and your neighbors
shouldn't miss is the tale of Morris Ep-
stein, the Jewish boy "who moved into
a non-Jewish neighborhood, appearing in
"The Challenger," just out . . . The Chal -
lenger is the new anti-Fascist comic
book published by Interfaith Publica-
tions, Inc.
* * *
YOU SHOULD KNOW
The Red Army which entered Warsaw
held memorial services for the heroes of
the battle of the Warsaw Ghetto on the
very first day of the Soviet occupation
of the city.
Meyer W.. Weisgal, fresh from Pales-
tine, is creating a sensation as a speak-.
er . . . His talks on his impressions of
wartime Eretz Israel are in demand all
over the :country.
* * *
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
, Add to your list of entertainers who
bring cheer to our( boys overseas the
name of Sam Levene, the stage and
screen comedian, who's wowing them
with his original interpretation of his
role in "Three Men on a Horse" .. . And
Pvt. Bobby Breen, whom you remem-
ber as a boy singer in the films, is now
in an entertainment unit of the U. S.
Third Army.
The Jewish chaplain who, together
with three Christian colleagues, will be
immortalized on the screen is Rabbi
Alexander D. Goode,
Ordinary mortals must renounce civil-
ian life when they enter the Army—but
no such restrictions hamper the famed
comic strip character Superman . .
What we're trying to tell you is that
Jerry Siegel, creator of Clark Kent, has
now brought to life a character called
Super GI, whose adventures will be
made public in the Army publication
Midpacifican . . . Jerry, you remember,
is in the Army now himself.
* *. *
MUSICAL"- NOTES
Something special for music lovers is
the new Victor album containing the
Brahms Rain Sonata performed by
Yehudi Menuhin, violinist, and Hephzi-
bah Menuhin, pianist . . The same al-
bum also includes a Bach Praeludium
for unaccompanied violin, played by the
'same fiddler . . . Hephzibah, who has
been living in semi-retirement in Aus-
tralia, now makes an occasional concert
appearance. for the benefit of war re-
lief . . . Unlike her famous brother,
however, she hasn't been making a career
as a distinguished- artist.
Freda Trepel, 25.-year-old piano vir-
tuoso of Winnipeg, is being hailed by
Canadian critics as the greatest woman
pianist developed on this continent.
105 persons abstained from voting, 4 to 5
opposed it, and some 30 supported it.
The Representation of the Polish So-
cialist Bund issued a statement, support-
ing the London Government as the of-
ficial Polish. Government but urging its
re-organization, pointing out that thQ
present Government includes the anti-
Semitic, fascist Endek Party. The Bund
demands a Government of peasants,
workers and all other democratic ele-
ments, excluding representatives of the
extreme reactionary wing.
ABOUT-- PEOPLE
Betty Comden, a Jewish girl who not
so long ago was dreaming of a Broact-
way career, is the talk of the •theatrical
world . . . She not only is one of the
stars of the smash hit musical comedy
"On the Town", but also co-author of its
book and lyrics, which contribute con-
siderably to its success.
William B. Ziff's "The Gentlemen Talk
of Peace" got off to a rather slow start,
but is now climbing the best-seller lad-
der.
In. the first Phase of the enemy occupation of. 'France there were two
Zones-the Northern-, - which was occupied, and the Southern, •whiCh was not
,During that period many Jews crept over the border into the unoccupied
zone - where the Gerrnan menace was temporarily redUced. In that zone the
Joint Distribution: Committee had an official office and carried out its relief
activities: The burden , became -heavier . every. , day as the families ate into
their reserves and more and more of them became destitute:: Persecution
started in August, 1942, when a round-up on a gteat scale was carried (Mt,
princiPallY• against non-French Jews who were arrested and deported under
conditions unfit for cattle.
The second. ,phase of: the occupation started in- November, 1942, when
the Germans - .occupied the hitherto unoccupied southern zone. Froin' then on
every Jew was in danger.
As an American drganization the JDC was considered by the Germans
as an enemy and its offices were officially closed and the personnel disbanded.
But the two men who had been put in charge—Mr. Jefroykin and his assis-
tant, Mr. Brenner—refused to accept defeat. This JDC office went under-
ground and continued its activities.
Plans were made to try to save and protect the 'Jews. Ai many as
possible were disguised as non-Jews with non-Jewish names and were issued
forged papers :to that effect and were distributed on a great seale.
The_ Children presented a problem. More and more of them were left
behind when their patents were deported. People to look after them and
homes iri*hich they could live had to be found in ever-increasing numbers.
The French population responded to this urgent need for concealment
and support. The Catholic and Protestant churches also provided an asylum
for many.
Another fdrm of rescue was to organize emigration. Legal departures
were V no longer possible, and men, women and children had to be smuggled
over the borders into neutral countries.
All this activity and all this elaborate organization could not be carried'
out without money. Forged papers cost money. The support of hidden chil-
dren needed money. Traveling about the country costs money.
Frenchriewish assets and property had been seized and the Jews could
help each other only in a most inadequate manner. It is to the• eternal credit
of the Joint Distribution Committee that it distributed money more than
ever before.
Without the JDC the present death toll would have run into greater
figures. Out of 350,000 Jews who were in France when the war began, 120,000
have been 'deported, many to be exterminated. Fearful as these figures are
it is at least with deep_ satisfaction that we can report today that without
the wonderful, generous and untiring. help of the JDC -the tragedy would
have been blacker—much blacker.
France is now liberated: For those of us who remain the nightmare is
over. Hardship, however, is obviously widely spread and poverty-stricken
people, are everywhere.
Just as . the war is not yet over and we of the United Nations have been
told not to relax our efforts, in Jewish life the gradual dwindling of territories
suffering from Nazi terrorism gives us no ground to sit back, and sigh with
relief. We know that we can count on the syrnpathy and generous under-
standing of American Jews. We will spare no efforts to do bur duty.
Heard in
The Lobbies
By ARNOLD LEVIN
(Copyright, 1945 Independent Jewish
Press Service. Inc.)
CAPITOL NEWS
Watch for the impending clash, on the
floor of Congress; between John Rankin,
leading. Congressional Jew-baiter, alien
baiter . and White Supremacy-advocate,
and Adam Clayton Powell, Harlem's
Congressional n e ophyt e and Negro
preacher who promised, in pre-election
speeches, to move for the ejection from
the House of anyone inciting against or
offending race.
A bill, to outlaw anti-Semitism will
soon be proposed in the House . .. De-
velopments in Sweden, where the Gov-
ernment will 'recommend to the House
a bill to outlaw anti-Semitism, bear
watching in this connection.
Senator Wheeler's "conditional surren-
der" speeches presage the re-emergence
soon of the-America First Committee, per-
haps under a new name. Its .success or
failure, and its very re-emergence, de-
pend on how fast we move in on Berlin.
Another obstacle, some say, is the jeal-
ousy between ex-Senator Nye and Sen-
ator Wheeler; also, the intransigence of
ex-Representative "H-am" Fish who,
somehow, thinks that he deserves pre-
eminence over Nye, because it took him
(Fish) longer to become an "ex".
* * *
VETERAN
Liza Einhorn, one of the first actresses
on the Yiddish stage, a veteran of Abra-
ham Goldfaden's troupe, died in New
York City at the age of eighty-five. Her
son, Dave Gould, is doing well in Holly-
wood. Her husband, also deceased, was
once theater-manager under Jacob P.
Adler, the greatest star the Yiddish the-
ter ever had and father and grandfather
of the many Adlers in Hollywood and on
Broadway.
*• *
NEW YORK RENDEZVOUS
Adherents of the Polish Government-
in-Exile are desperately seeking to mar-
shall all possible goodwill in their Gov-
ernment's behalf for a showdown with
the Lublin Government. For this pur-
pose publisher Bitner, whose sheets in
pre-war Poland carried the most vicious
anti-Semitic attacks, was co-signer of an
invitation for Polish refugees to meet in
the offices of the Polish Consulate Gen-
eral. Jews, too, were invited, but only
a handful responded. When a resolution
supporting the London Government and
denouncing Lublin was presented, some
it
By PHINEAS J. • BIRON
(Copyright, 1945, Seven,. Arta Feature Syndicate)
•
Between
You and Me
By BORIS SMOLAR
(Copyright, 1945, Jewish Telegraphic
Agency, Inc.)
,
* * *
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