THE JEWISH NEWS
Page Two
Between
You and Me
By BORIS SMOLAR
(Copyright, 1946, Jewish Telegraphic
Agency, Inc.)
JEWISH AFFAIRS
The reason the Anglo-American In-
quiry Committee did not publish an in-
terim report, as expected, is due to the
disagreements among the members of the
committee . . • It seems that they could
not agree among themselves - with regard
to some vital issues which they would
have to touch upon, if an interim report
were published . . . While there was gen-
eral agreement that the camps for dis-
placed Jews must be cleared immediate-
ly, the dissension centered around the
question of where the displaced Jews
should be disposed of . . . American mem-
bers of the Inquiry Committee demanded
that Palestine be mentioned in the in-
terim report as a final solution of the
problem • . . The British insisted that all
European boundaries should be frozen for
Jews in order to prevent their further
infiltration into the American and British
2Ones . Judging from the divergencies
which developed among the members of
the Inquiry Committee, it can be as-
sumed that there will be a majority and
minority report when the committee con- •
eludes its hearings . . . The majority re-
port may recommend admission of all the
displaced Jews to Palestine within a
number of years, while the minority re-
port may make more favorable recoin-.
mendations.
Large-scale plans for advising Jewish
communities in Europe with regard to
fighting anti-Semitism, and the restora-
tion of their legal rights are now being
made by the American Jewish Commit-
tee .. . A special office has been opened
in London by the committee to conduct
this work . . . This is the first time in
the history of the American Jewish Com-
mittee that it has opened an office over-
seas to maintain direct contact with
Jewish communities in Europe and in
Africa . . . The office is the result of the
recent conference of representatives of
Jewish communities convoked in London
jointly by the Anglo-Jewish Association
and the American Jewish Committee,
*
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THE ANTI-SEMITIC FRONT
Watch for the new organization "Atomic
League of America" . . The people be-
hind it are the same ones who headed
the reactionary "American Foundation"
which patronizes anti-Semitic• publica-
tions . . . In case you don't know it, the
sum of $280,000 in funds and commit-
ments has already been secured within
two months towards the $300,000 needed
as initial expenses for the nationwide
radio hook-up for Upton Close, a radio
commentator known for his anti-Jewish
sentiments.
It is revealed that several of the de-
fendants of the Washington sedition trial
received substantial financial assistance
through Edward H. Hunter of Boston,
who died last June . . . For at least three
years prior to his death, Hunter had
acted as a channel for an unknown donor
in subsidizing anti-Semitic grOups and
leaders directly involved in the sedition
trial . . . Hunter, whose front organiza-
tion, "The Industrial Defense Associa-
tion," was dissolved by the Massachusetts
legislature in 1941, was one of the
"pioneers" who organized anti-Semitism
in America .. • The identity of the bene-
factor he represented is not known, but
- despite his death, payments to the anti-
Semitic leaders continued until late this
year . . . His former secretary, Evelyn
Tankard, replaced him as the disbursing
agent.
Anastase Vonsiatsky, who was one of
the most active agents in maintaining
liaison among anti-Semitic leaders
throughout the world, has been released
on parole .. . He was convicted in Rine,
1942, for conspiring to help transmit
American military secrets to Japan and
Germany . . . He came to this country as
a penniless, White Russian refugee in
1922 and started a publication named
"The Fascist" which ceased existence at
the end of 1941.
A new German group came into exist-
ence last month in New York City under
the name "The German-American World
War II Veterans" . . . Among the first
activities of this group was a demonstra-
tion of sympathy for the three anti-
Semites, Homer Maertz, Ernest Elmhurst,
and Kurt Mertig, who were sentenced to
prison terms for spreading "Ritual Mur-
der" and other anti-Semitic literature at
a street meeting of the Christian Front.
Friday, March 22, 1946
Unparalleled Need
The $100,000,000 Goal of the UJA
(Editorial in New York Herald Tribune)
The United Jewish Appeal has set. the unprecedented goal of $100,000,000 for
the relief of Jewish war victims. But if the goal is unprecedented, so is the need.
The surviving Jews in Europe, exclusive of Russia, number perhaps a million and
a quarter of the Six and a 'half million who lived there before the war. The majority
are poverty stricken. More than one-half require basic relief in the form of food,
clothing, medical aid and shelter. Those were the figures given by Herbert IL
Lehman at the drive's launching a fortnight ago. Mr. Lehman explained why so
great a sum is needed in addition to the relief which the United Nations Relief and
Rehabilitation Administration is able to give. That organization does not operate
in countries where a large percentage of Jews now are—in France, Belgium and
Holland, for example. In eastern Europe - Mr. Lehman describes its commitment in
such a country as Hungary as a mere drop in the bucket when placed against over-
whelming needs. UNRRA aids displaced persons in camps in Germany and Austria, •
but some one else must take over when a permanent home is found for them.
It cannot be overemphasized that relief efforts must be concentrated in 1946.
The task is one not so much of aid as of providing means for survival. The Jewish
community here is banded together in the United Jewish Appeal to meet the crisis.
The funds will be distributed by the Joint Distribution Committee, the United
Palestine Appeal, the National Refugee Service and the National Jewish Welfare
Board in this city. But the relief of suffering peoples has no racial or sectarian
boundaries. The appeal is one which involves the conscience of all men of good will.
Purely Commentary
By PHILIP
SLOMOVITZ
The .Editor's Report to our Constituencies
As The Jewish News Enters Its Fifth Year
THIS ISSUE, The Jewish News commences its fifth year of service to the
W ITH
Jewish people of Detroit, Pontiac, Windsor, Flint, Saginaw and the other
communities i in Michigan.
Entering upon another twelve months' activities, the Commentator's Column
for the week becomes a report to our constituencies, and is in essence a THANK
YOU note to the great communities, with a total Jewish population of more than
100,000, which we serve through the nearly 19,000 families who are receiving this •
issue.
Trying to satisfy total communities is never an easy task. In dealing with tens
of thousands of people, some are certain to be displeased.
Our people, however, have shown such a wholesome spirit of cooperation in
our efforts to raise the standards of Jewish journalism and to create a high standard
for their community organ, that we write these lines in a spirit of deep-rooted and
humble gratitude.
Elevating the Standards of Jewish Living
HEN, IN FEBRUARY of 1942, we released our statement of principles and
made known our Credo, we ,called to the attention of our community that—
"We have felt that a newspaper must assume a place of importance in the
life of the community not merely for the purpOse of gossiping about the social
aspects of its members, but in the main for the express purpose of keeping its
readers fully informed of what is transpiring in the world at large, in American
:Jewry, and in the principal communal agencies functioning in our midst."
Our plea for community cooperation set forth the following principles:
"It is our belief that only a newspaper that places service above the profit
motive can assume the role of a community organ, and the sponsors of THE
JEWISH NEWS are confident that, with such guiding principles we shall receive
the wholehearted support of all elements in our community.
"We offer Michigan Jewry a newspaper whose concern it becomes to keep
Jews and non-Jews fully informed on facts relating to the Jewish position; whose
chief interest it is to advance the morale of our people and to hold high the banner
Of democracy, religious freedom and goodwill among all faiths; to fight against
fraud, deceit and misrepresentation, and in that spirit to set a high example for
ethical conduct in our community.
"We are motivated in sponsoring the new weekly by the sacred community
responsibility of establishing the most friendly interdenominational relations, of
advancing the Good Neighbor policy between Jews and non-Jews, of establishing
the -type of relations which serve to build a wholesome American life based on
inter-faith cooperation.
. "THE JEWISH NEWS proposes to carry on its journalistic code in a manner
that should make the community proud of its existence.
"THE JEWISH NEWS proposes to help elevate the standards of JewiSly living
through proper knowledge and information."
W
O
Priority for Tremendous Needs of the Hour
UR PEOPLE'S recurrent tragedies of the last decade have made it necessary to
place emphasis upon the great needs which call for solidarity in our ranks
achieved through deep understanding of our problems. The vanities of "publicity
writers" must, of necessity, become secondary to the tremendous needs of the hour.
The rescue of Israel's remnants is far more important than a games party or the
"night life" of a very insignificant minority.
Our readers and supporters, including the advertising forces which
have given such generous cooperation, have shown by their response to our
call for service that they subscribe to the principles we have enunciated.
The great family of readers of The Jewish News has indicated that it appre-
ciates the value of the program we have set forth—that a newspaper's value to the
community lies in its genuine circulation and in its readiness and ability to give
complete coverage of Jewish news, and to provide for comprehensive discussion
of . Jewish issues by men of knowledge and understanding; that a genuine com-
munity organ must, as we have set but, rise above the profit motive.
W HEN
Creating a Well Informed Jewish Community
THE COMPLETE STORY of English-Jewish journalism is written, the
four-year period, 1942 to 1946, will be recorded to the everlasting credit of
the Jewish Welfare Federations of Detroit, Windsor and Pontiac.
Thanks to the vision and wisdom of the leadership of these Federations, it
has been made possible for every Jewish family in these communities, for the
first time in the history of English-speaking communities, to receive a Jewish
newspaper.
The total circulation of these communities, made possible through agreements
between The Jewish News and these Federations, is leading to the creation of
well-informed Jewish communities.
Repeating "ledge for Service to Community
HUS, THE JEWISH NEWS, laboring for acceptance on the basis of the two
great principles which are by tradition the backbone of ALL newspapers,
•
CIRCULATION and CONTENT, repeats its pledge for community service on this
occasion.
Mutual confidence, developed through community appreciation of our efforts
to produce a periodical serving the entire family, not forgetting the needs of the
children, and to elevate the thinking of all elements, strengthened our hands and
gives us courage to hope that we may achieve the improvements for which we strive.
This is OUR chance to repeat a hearty THANK YOU to every one of our friends.
We believe in the power for good which is inherent in our communities, and we
are confident that our strength will grow with the strength of our communities.
Strictly
Confidential
By PHINEAS J. BIRON
Copyright, 1946, Seven Arts
Feature Syndicate, Inc.
PAGE BROOKLYN'S
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
A Jewish lad, Irwin Berman, and his
two companions, also Jewish youngsters,
were assaulted the other day by .20 gen-
tile boys in Brooklyn . . . Irwin was
stabbed—almost fatally—and is still in a
hospital . . • The police apprehended the
main culprits and the court will probably
penalize them . . . But that is not suffici-
ent . . . The daily press and the police
consistently refrained from classifying
the incident as an anti-Semitic incident
. . . Finally Kings County District Miles
F. McDonald assigned Edward S. Silver,
chief assistant District Attorney to look
into charges that the stabbing was one of
a series of anti:Semitic outbreaks in the
neighborhood . . . It goes without saying
that Mr. Silver will dutifully report that
the incident was merely kid stuff, a local
gang fight . . . But there exists incontro-
vertible evidence, Mr. District Attorney,
that the stabbing was an overt anti-Sem-
itic act . . . We have seen the statement
signed by the mother of Irwin in which
Mrs. Berman states that the hooligans
called her boy "Jew bastard" and "Dirty
Jew" . . . So why institute an "investiga-
tion" (merely with a view of suppressing
the true character of this un-American
outrage . . . ) Must a Jew be killed after
being insulted in order to recognize the
anti-Semitic nature of his assailant?
.
*
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PERSONALIA
Rabbi A. H. Silver did not mince words
when he chastised a certain Yiddish
newspaper at an off the record press
conference . . . Silver scored that paper
for its red baiting policy and said that
the Soviet Government would be an .im- H
portant factor in the Palestine issue.
No newspaper reported Dr. Wise's
quick retort at the Cleveland session of
the American Jewish Conference . .
When Rabbi Silver opposed a co-chair-
manship of three Dr. Wise commented,
"Dr. Silver is even opposed to a co-chair-
mansip of two" . . . Could Wise mean the
Zionist Emergency Council?
*
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ATTENTION MR. BEVIN!
The police commissioner of Geisenkir-
chen, British Zone Germany, is Herr
Volkhardt, a notorious Nazi . . . The chief
of police in the same town is Major Klei-
baurn; a member of the Nazi party since
1933 .. . Do you call the appointment of
two anti-Semitic fascists to important jobs
de-Nazification, Mr. Bevin!
*
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*
ATTENTION MR. GUDSTADT!
The Washington Times Herald and the
New York Daily News are two of the!
most notorious papers sponsoring anti-
liberal domestic and foreign policies . . . 1
In liberal circles these two papers are
called fascists . . . Then why should the
Bulletin of the Anti-Defamation League
reprint an editorial from these papers un-
der the heading "Patterson Papers Ask •'
for Religious Tolerance."
Youth for Christ
Head Hits Bigotry
Everyone who is familiar with the sub-
versive movement in this country knows
how some unscrupulous persons have
tried to throw the cloak of Christianity
over their anti-Semitic propaganda. Gen- .
uine Christians, clerical and lay, have . al-
ways condemned this blighting decep-
tion.
Most recently Jack Wyrtzen, president
of the Youth for Christ movement, made
the following statement on the radio:
"On several occasions of late; it has
been brought to my attention that the
Youth for Christ movement has been ac-
cused of being anti-Semitic and I felt led
tonight to make a statement that. might
settle this issue once and for all in the
minds Of the general public . .. .
"Frankly, we believe that one of the
greatest evils we of Youth for Christ
must keep from gaining ground in Amer-
ica is the vicious and depraved doctrine
of anti-Semitism which has brought'. so
much misery to the world. This godless
and un-Christian hate movement was ex-
ploited by the Nazis to divide the' people
of Europe and to finally enslave them.
War, devastation and moral bankruptcy
was the result. We in America must be
on guard against the peddlers of this
poison if we want to keep America not
only free and safe but also. Christian.
With all the vigor at my command I say
that anti-Semitism is a menace to our
country and our religion."