Page Two
Purely
Commentary
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
HERO OF THE YEAR
If we were asked to select the hero of
the year, our unqualified choice would
be Ira A. Hirschmann of Bloomingdale's
Department Store, New York.
Mr. Hirschmann's chief interest, next
to being an executive of a department
store, was music. During the war, he
was selected by President Roosevelt for
a most delicate piece of work—that of
effecting the rescue of Jews from enemy
coun tries through the War. Refugee
Board.
Thus, from a buSiness post, from own-
ership of a radio and television station
and from the presidency of The New
Friends of Music, he suddenly was trans-
formed into a diplomat. Later he was se-
lected by Fiorello H. LaGuardia for an
important post in UNRRA, in Europe.
The job he accomplished is so immense
that it will go down in history as one
of the most important rescue efforts ever
undertaken by an individual.
His story is told in his very great book,
`Life Line to a Promised Land," which
his been published by The Vanguard
Press. 424 Madison Ave., New York 17.
•
•
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TRAFFIC IN 'HUMAN CARGO'
Mr. Hirschmann's significant story is
a revelation of achievements which in-
volved courage and determination. Un-
schooled in diplomacy, the representa-
tive of the War Refugee Board discov-
ered upon his arrival in Turkey that he
was to deal not only with friendly gov-
ernments but also with "enemy" powers;
that he was to consult people who were
more concerned with "bakhsheesh" (bri-
bery) than with human needs; that
governments had to be sold on the idea
of releasing boats for the transportation
of refugees. and the rescuing of children.
It was a heartbreaking job, and it took
heroism of an unparralleled nature to
accomplish the task he was charged with.
Turkey was not friendly. We were at
war with Romania. The Germans were
bent upon preventing the exit of Jews
and their eventual settlement in Pales-
tine. There was the problem of "bucking
the British. -
Our Ambassador to Turkey, Lawrence
A. Steinhardt, was most cooperative. But
he was prevented from acting in view of
rules preventing him from "dealing with
the- enemy ( Romania )."
M:. Hirschmann soon learned that he
had extraordinary powers—that while an
ambassid.w.-eould not deal with enemies,
he could. And he did.
•
•
TRIBUTE TO THE 'BOYS'
The unusual task of providing the
boats and of making possible the escape
of the refugees was facilitated by the
- boys - -as Mr. Hirschmann calls them
affectionately—the Palestinian volunteers
who risked their lives to save others. "It
was the boys' who had begun the or-
ganization of the traffic of small, illegal
ships to carry men, women. and children
by underground and underworld routes
into safety. -
Mr. Hirschmann's first achievement
was to get Romania to abandon its dread-
ful camp at Transnisria. That ended also
the shipment of Jews to Poland. Then
began the traffic in human lives. The
singing of the S.S. Mefkura left a dread-
ful impression upon our hero, but the
work had to go on—and it continued
unabated.
At times the difficulties appeared in-
surmountable. But the hero and the
-
Friday, November 22, 1946
THE JEWISH NEWS-
1)()ys" were undeterred.
•
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INTERVIEW WITH MOYNE
In the course of his activities, it be-
came necessary for Mr. Hirschmann to
meet with Lord Moyne, who at first re-:
fused to permit the American to inter-
view a Jewish emissary who was sent
by the Nazis to make rescue proposals to
the Jews. Having overcome this obstacle,
Mi. Hirschmann succeeded in teaching
Moyne a lesson in sincere efforts for hu-
manitarian heeds.
Towards the end of the book, dealing
with Britain's tyrannical methods in Pal-
estine. Mr. Hirschmann commented upon
the assassination of a..ord Moyne and re-
ferred to him thus: "As Minister in Cairo,
he was in authority when that policy
(of the White Paper) led to the `Struma'
and 'Patria' disasters."
It is no wonder that the British have
banned this book in Palestine. Mr.
Hirschmann lifts the curtain and de-
scribes bluntly and very frankly the dis-
gusting game played by the British. He
states:
"We must abandon any partnership in
and support of the British colonial game
in the Middle East and demand the im-
mediate rescue of these lost people. At
On Thanksgiving Day
By REV. WILLIAM C. KERMAN
Executive Director, Institute of American Democracy, Inc.
T
hank God in your church or synagogue for the blessings of peace and brother-
hood we enjoy in our democracy.
onor the American tradition of fair play and mutual understanding, an impor-
tant source of our people's strength and well-being.
11tant
nswer the defeatists, the "nationalists," and the fear'makers with a united
A determination to make democracy work better.
ourish our way of life by respecting differences, and giving everyone an equal
N chance
to contribute to our country.
K now your neighbor, your partner in our common enterprie of self-government
ow the seeds of brotherhood in your community by practicing the same team-
S partners
work
work for which Colin Kelly, Meyer Levin, Dorrie Miller and their fighting
gave their lives.
generously to those worthwhile causes which help us to be our brother's
keeper, and to express our thanks for the blessings we enjoy.
'
America against every form of totalitarianism and tyranny by being loyal
I nsure
to the principles of our republic; "one nation, indivisible," of many races, many
religions. "with liberty and justice for all," for men of every religion and every
race, Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Whites and Negroes.
Value your fellow-Americans for their individual merits, whatever their national
• origin. race, or creed.
Impress young people with the conviction that freedom is not a gift on a silver
platter, but a responsibility which every American must discharge for himself:
'Mail the hate-rumors which would poison us by setting Catholics against Prot-
estants. Gentiles against Jews, workers against employers, whites against
Negroes.
G rant to all people the same opportunities you want for yourself.
If we all do these things, then every day will be a day for Thanksgiving.
Heard in
The Lobbies
By ARNOLD LEVIN
( Copyright. 1946. Independent Jewish
Press Service. Inc.)
INTERNECINE STRIFE?
British efforts to spark-plug interne-
cine strife among the Jews are abetted
by the misguided partisan zeal of the
American League for a Free Palestine
which rushed a venomous statement to
the press alleging that Haganah's radio.
Kol Yisroel. :s being maintained lay the
Jewish Agency for Palestine. The
League's allegation, which followed a
broadcast by Kol Yisroel scoring the
Bergsonites in the United States, is a rep-
Strictly
Confidential
By PHINEAS J. BIRON
Copyright. 1946, Seven Arts
Feature Syndicate, Inc.
Between
You and Me
By BORIS SMOLAR
(Copyright, 1946. Jewish Telegraphic
Agency; Inc.)
THE POLITICAL SCENE
British Foreign Secretary Bevin, who
is scheduled to meet in New York with
Secretary of State Byrnes on the Pales-
tine question, will also see David Ben
Gurion, chairman of the Jewish Agency
executive . . . In a private talk with
Matthew Woll, leader of the American
Federation of Labor, Bevin indicated
that he would be ready to see Ben Gurion
prior to the latter's leaving the United
States for the Zionist Congress in Swit-
zerland . . . When reminded that the
British government only a fortnight ago
had Ben Gurion marked for arrest, Bevin
smiled and said that this was a matter of
the past, indicating that the Zionist leader
is again considered persona grata . . . He
revealed that a high official of the Colo-
nial Office is now in constant touch with
Ben Gurion, who is now also negotiating
with non-Zionist leaders in America with
regard to the future of the Jewish Agen-
cy . . . There is talk of the need for re-
organization of the non-Zionist section of
the Agency . . . The Amesican Jewish
Committee is formulating its attitude on
the Palestine issue in the light of ex-
pected developments . . . It is assumed
both by Zionists and non-Zionists that
the Jewish Committee will play an im-
portant role should the Bevin-Byrnes
talks lead to active participation of the
U. S. government in solution of the Pales-
tine problem . . . Don't be surprised to
learn soon that an important institution
in Palestine will bear the name of Judge
Joseph M. Proskauer, president of the
American Jewish Committee .. . This is
an indication of the present relations be-
tween Zionist leadership and the leader-
ship of the American Jewish Committee.
Proskauer is honorary president of the
campaign, sponsored by the American
Friends of the Hebrew University and
Hadassah, to raise $4,000.000 to establish
the first medical school in Palestine.
•
INFORMATION PLEASE
ANTI-SEMITE'S CLOTHING
When Upton Close, leading mouthpiece
of American Action, Inc., spouts forth
fascist propaganda, he does it while
wearing a suit gifted to him by a prom-
inent, wealthy Jewish gentleman (?)
from Chicago . . . The man from Chica-
go and Upton Close had a very congenial
and tasty dinner at the swank Standard
Club, leading Jewish Club in the windy
city . . . The only result of this epochal
etition of an allegation contained in Brit- confab was that Close, branded by the
ish Prime Minister Attlee's statement Anti-Defamation League of Bnai Brith
which sought to justify the detention of as an anti-Semite, received a brand new
Moshe Shertok and his colleagues. The wardrobe.
• • s•
British are more interested in discredit-
FIGHTING
THE
TERROR
ing responsible Jewish leadership than
The Revisionist godfathers of Palestine's
in suppressing Jewish' extremists. The
This will be the tenth time that a
World Zionist Congress is held in Basle.
Of the other 12 Congresses, four were
also held in Switzerland, three were held
in Czechoslovakia, two in Vienna, one
in London, one in Hamburg and one in
The Hague. The World Zionist Congress
is the supreme Zionist body. It elects a
president of the World Zionist Organiza-
tion, an Actions Committee of 70 mem-
bers which determines policies between
congresses and a world executive which
is subordinated to the Actions Commit-
tee. It also elects one-half of the mem-
bership of the Jewish Agency, the body
of Zionists and non-Zionists recognized
by the Mandatory power. The Jewish
National Fund reports directly to the
called for fascist attack against the
Arabs. his voice rising to crescendo pitch,
and suddenly, dramatically, pausing . . .
The audience hung expectantly in the si-
lence . . . Then a rear door clicked open,
and 10 kids, none of them over 20, walked
down the aisles distributing a "throw-
away." Signed by progressive Hashomer
Hatzair. the leaflet denounced Irgun ter-
• • •
ror and called for all Jews to aid in in-
RECOMMENDED READING
creasing Aliyah (immigration) . . .
To some American Council for Juda-
Courageous youngsters like these are
ism b•aintrusters: do not fail to read "The
manning the small boats that daily chal-
Mind and Death of a Genius," the story
lenge the British fleet . . . They're doing
of that mad genius. Otto Weininger, by
a great job.
Dr. David Abrahamsen (Columbia Uni-
•
•
•
gress and the Jewish Agency. For the
first time in its history the Hadassah will
be given a seat in the World Zionist ex-
ecutive, although Hadassah officially is
not a part of the World Zionist Organi-
zation. Mrs. Edward Jacobs, honorary
president of Hadassah. a member of the
Jewish Agency executive, was elected by
the non-Zionist members of the Agency.
League's' vehement attacks on the Jewish
Agency accomplish just that. Now, we
are not saying that the League wilfully
helps the British. We do say that the
League is so myopic in its extremism
that it fails to see that Jewish Palestine
can only suffer, and the British can only
gain. from the kind of propaganda con-
ducted against the Jewish Agency by the
League.
versity Press. $3), in which a compe-
tent psychiatrist probes the mind of a
Jew driven to suicide by his self-hatred.
We recommend it to all befuddled Jews,
ashamed of themselves, seeking escape
from their identity. In following Dr.
Abrahamsen's analysis of Otto Weinin-
ger, many befuddled Jews will sense the
experience of a curative, revelatory self-
analysis.
Recommended for other reasons —
Georgia's Governor Arnall's, "The Shore
Dimly Seen.' (Lippincott, $3).
the same time we must reopen our own
doors to these remaining victims of Fas-
cism in the grand tradition of a nation
that arose from the strength, courage,
and hope of those who sought and found
shelter on our shores. Then, for the sake
of world peace, we must insist that the
question of the independence of Pales-
tine be settled in the Security Council of
the United Nations, where. it belongs,
and nowhere else." .
"Life Line to a Promised Land" is a
courageous and very great book written
by a very brave man. Place the book in
the hands of all important world leaders,
and we may see an early return to de-
cency in diplomatic dealings with the
remnants of Jewish survivors in Europe.
terror were holding a meeting in New
York . . . On the platform the speaker
IN THE MAIL
From the University of Vermont comes
the following letter . . . "We, the Social
Action Committee o' the University of
Vermont, urge that the British immedi-
ately open the doors to Palestine for un-
limited Jewish immigration" ... We pre-
dict that schools all over the United
States will be echoing that sentiment be-
fore long.
•
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POT POURRI
A song that won't miss the 14it Parade
is "You'll Always Be the One I Love"
. It was written by "Ticker" . Freeman,
Dinah Shore's pianist, and is slated for
Sinatra plugging. -
Milton Berle, who has been breaking
attendance records at New York's Carni-
val, is a very versatile fellow . . . Be-
sides putting the Carnival on the after-
dark map with his talented jesting, Milt
has written a song. "Save Me a Dream,"
and is muscling in on the crooners to-
sing it himself.
Sir Stork will run & close second to
Thanksgiving Turkey at the Danny
Kayes'.
The works of Bela Bartok, late Hun-
garian-JeWish composer, are receiving
increasing recognition in American mu-
sic circles.
World Zionist Congress, but the Keren
Hayesod is subordinated to both the Con-
Passports and
Egyptian Jews
By ISAAC J. SALAMA
(Jewish Telegraphic Agency Correspondent)
(Copyright, 1946. Jewish Telegraphic
Agency, Inc.)
CAIRO.—What appears to be a con-
certed attempt to prevent local Jews
from going to Palestine is now being
made at the Egyptian passport depart-
ment in Cairo.
Of the 70,000 Jews living in Egypt less
than 20,000 can boast of possessing a reg-
ular Egyptian passport The other 50,000,
although born in the country, are classi-
fied as of '`undetermined nationality."
They are of course subjected to all kinds
of state duties but they cannot claim na-
tional rights. For instance, when they
have to travel outside Egypt they must
content themselves with a miserable
"laisser-passer" which they do not often
get in view of the numerous "administra-
tive" difficulties they are not always able
to overcome. These are the people who
will be the first to suffer from what is
described as "administrative reforms to
be brought in the passport department."
Rumor is rife in Jewish as well as non-
Jewish quarters that the Egyptian au-
thorities are now complying with a wish
expressed in firm language by the Brit-
ish Embassy in Cairo, as a result of "ille-
gal" immigration of local Jews to Pales-