Purely
Commentary

The group of 43

Veterans Act Against Fascism

By PAUL S. GREEN

Jewish Telegraphic Agency Corres: ondent in London

By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

WITCH HUNTS
We hold no briefs for Communists, it
is not our job either to condemn or to
defend the American Youth for Democ-
racy and we have all intentions of stick-
ing to the job we have chosen of cover-
ing the Jewish news field and of defend-
ing the good name of Jewry whenever it
may be subjected to attack.
Insofar as Communists are concerned,
we have had occasion to express resent-
ment against the activities of those who,
in the name of "Russian relief," have mis-
represented the position of the Joint
Distribution Committee. Also, we have
reason to be critical of the attitude of
Jewish Communists towards Zionism and
the Jewish position in Palestine.
/But when witch hunts go to the ex-
tremes, we reel obligated to speak out
in defense of basic American principles.
Here is an instance in which such prin-
ciples are involved.
James Zarichny, one of six Michigan
State College students who are on in-
definite disciplinary probation for par-
ticipation in AYD activities off the cam-
pus, was being questioned by State Sen-
ato• Matthew F. Callahan, head of the
committee investigating AYD. In reply
to the question as to Zarichny's national
descent, when told that the AYD leader
is Ukrainian, Callahan asked: "Polish or
Jewish." The answer was "Polish," and
Zarichny was asked what his religious
beliefs are. The reply was that he is
Catholic. Zarichny describes the end of
the interview as follows:
"As I prepared to leave, Senator Calla-
han told me that he did not believe what
I had been telling him. Senator Smith
chimed in: 'He hasn't said anything.'
"There was one parting shot from
Senator Callahan:
"'You're Jewish and you won't admit
it,' he said as I left."
Assuming that the facts are accurately
presented by Zarichny, the injection of
the Jewish angle is an outrageous abuse
of Americanism by the State Senators
involved. There ought to be a limit to
witch hunting, but apparently some of
our legislators do not understand the
necessity for such limitations and pre-
fer to be parties to the spread of bigotry.
4. •
AN EXPOSE OF BIGOTRY
Speaking of bigotry, the following
article by Edwin A. Lahey, in a recent
issue of the Chicago Daily News, inter-
estingly exposes the poisoned minds
which resort to racial and religious
hatred:

One of my kids the other night, during a dis-
cussion that had started over her homework.
said blandly, without knowing that she was
knocking me down:
"So-and-so at school said there is anti-Semitic
feeling because the Jews are talking over the
United States."
I waited some time before I sneaked back on
that one. Then I recalled my visit to Dachau
near Munich in 1945, and told how 6,000,000 men,
women and children had been destroyed in Ger-
many for no other reason but that they were
Jews. This hatred, I added, had conic down
through history. Obviously,.I pointed out, if the
Jews during all these centuries had been trying
to "take over" anything, they hadn't got very
far, because there are lots of Jewish workers in
New York and Chicago who have as much
trouble getting along as other people.
After this dissension I still felt a little sick,
and that's why I feel like writing about it.
No child has ever been born with racial or
religious prejudice. When this corruption of
mind and soul first appears in a youngster, we
know it has been planted there by someone else.
What in hell kind of insanity is it that permits
this germ of prejudice to be passed on to the
young? Why can't parents and teachers recog-
nize the magnitude of this evil, and fight it? A
mother who refused to have her children in-
noculated against diphtheria, scarlet fever, or
smallpox would have the children taken away
from her, and justly so. A teacher who permit-
ted a moron to distribute lewd photographs
among her 10 or 12 year old pupils would prop-
erly be regarded as an unfit person.
The virus of prejudice certainly is destructive
of the mind. Why are children exposed to it,
when it is within the power of parents and
teachers to practice preventive medicine against
it? Once this smudge on the young mind is
made, the damage can never be wholly repaired.
Why don't adults agree that to imbue the
young with bigotry is an irreparable sin, like
she violation of innocence?
And what can a parent do when he finds trace
of the germ? Make a neighborhood stink about
it, and become a local character? Personally, I
don't relish this approach, because I am at heart
a conformist.
Here's another desperate aspect of this thing—
why must it be considered "left wingish" to feel
strongly about racial and religious prejudice?
There's no use blinking the fact—anyone short
of an archbishop who insists on the basic Chris-
tian tenet that man Is endowed with human
dignity by a Creator to Whom racial distinctions
are spinach, is a red in the minds of his neigh-
bors.
Those of us who are hardened in our preju-
dices and hatreds are that way for the rest of
our lives. We can't turn the clock. or our emo-
tions back. But why must this thing be passed
on to the children? Do sane adults tell their
children dirty stories? Why, then in Heaven's
name, do adults tell children their dirty preju-
dices?
Personally, I don't know what to do about it.

Friday, April 11. 1947

THE JEWISH NEWS

Page Two

to die in battle than to behold the calamities of our Nation and
("Is it better for us
Sanctuary" ... J. Maccabeus 4:59)
Last summer a Jewish war veteran and his friend were strolling through Lon-
don. They were Gerald Flanberg, a British paratrooper who won the Military Medal
at Arnhem, and Maurice Beckman, who delivered the goods during the war in the
British merchant navy. They were startled to come upon a street meeting of the
neo-fascist British League of Ex-Service Men and Women. On the platform the
League's fuehrer, a Mosleyite named Jeffrey' Hamm was haranguing his listeners
with veiled references to the "Jewish Menace."
Flanberg and Beckman, aroused at the insults, angrily began to heckle the
made it so hot for
speaker, and with the help of several sympathetic-
Hamm and his cronies that the meeting was brokn up. With other Jewish vets
whom they met they made. a practice of going around to fascist street corner
meetings and using the same discouraging tactics.
Finally, a group of 43 deCided something had to be done about the fascists who
were capitalizing on the alarming anti-Semitic-feeling developing in England as a
result of the Palestine troubles: '
Impatient against restraining advice from established Jewish organizations.
the young veterans decided to branch out on their cwn. They took the name of
"The 43 Group," and adopted as their symbol a blue Star of David with their name
superimposed over it. Their motto is the quotation at the head of this article.
They now claim a membership of more than 500 in London and are setting up
branches in the provinces.
The 43 Group is not a military organization, but members are subject to a cer-
tain amount of discipline and all are given physical training.
Membership is not restricted to veterans, but most of them are. Neither is it
closed to non-Jews, but so far no Gentiles have applied. Girls also belong.
The group is non-political. Members include Zionists and non-Zionists, conserva-
•
tives and radicals.
•
"We have fought fascism on the battlefield," explains Chairman Goeffrey Ber-
nerd," and now we have proved fascism can be fought at home."

(Copyrigi.t. 194;. Jewish Telegraph:c Agency. Inc.)

Heard in
The Lobbies

Are there enough people to get hot
about the subject? We have no doubt
the overwhelming number of
that
Americans resents the spread of racial
and religious hatred. The trouble is that
too few people consider it their per-
sonal business to make certain that pre-
judices do not gain a foothold in this
country.
'''Dber'nfe-VITSATTItelrrectrrratierril–Per.

By ARNOLD LEVIN

(Copyright. 1947. Independent Jewish
Press Service. Inc.)

Strictly
Confidential

By PHINEAS J. BIRON

(Copyright. 1947. Seven Arts)

HAVE WE LEARNED?
MR, HOOVER, PLEASE EXPLAIN
Mr. Herbert Hoover owes an explana- Nobody denies that anti-Semitism is on
tion to the American public. He was sent the increase in England ... Some observ-
by President Truman to survey food needs ems wrongly interpret this growth as the
in Europe, and not to recruit the Germans result of the terrorist activities of the
for a new crusade to accomplish what Irgun in Palestine . .. Those who follow
Hitler failed to do at Stalingrad. That British politics seriously know that it is
purified Nazi Dr. Josef Baumgartner. Ag- I due to the alarming rebirth of fascist ac-
ricultural Minister of Bavaria, has told tivities in England ... Fascisni in England!
his purified colleagues that Mr. Hoover is experiencing a respectable renaissance
had pledged to the Bavarians that "we . . . Mosley is very much in demand by
are fighting for the new man, for Eur- the most exclusive hostesses of the Eng-
opean civilization against Asiatics." This, lish aristocracy ... Yet the weekly of the
Mr. Hoover, was what Hitler was fighting American Jewish Congress published an
for. It is former President Hoover's duty article last month which states: "There
to publicly confirm or deny the report are few Fascists in Britain, many anti-
that he has extended ally status to yester- Semites" . . . Have we learned nothing?
day's and today's enemies of civilization .. . Congress Weekly surely should know
—th e Huns, the Baumgartners, the Schu- ' that anti-Semites must be classified in the
political category of Fascist.
machers, the Hoegners, etc.

a

4,

*

Between
You and Me

By BORIS SMOLAR

Copyright, 1947, Jewish Telegraphic
Agency, Inc.)

UN TRENDS
Important members of the U. S. Senate
are studying the Palestine issue in con-
nection with its being brought before the
United Nations . . . They are eager to
learn more details of the problem, since
the United States will play a dominant
role at the United Nations on the Pales-
tine problem . . . Incidentally, Senator
Vandenberg—the strong man on the
American delegation at the United Na-
tions—does not seem enthusiastic about
the fact that Britain referred the Pales-
tine issue to the United Nations . . . He
thinks that partition is the best solution
of the problem . .. He does not believe
that the admission of 100,000 Jews to
Palestine will solve the problem, even
temporarily.
Latin American diplomats at the United
Nations indicate that they will follow
the line of the United States on the
Palestine issue . . . Differences of opinion
on Palestine have resulted in a split in
the ranks of the Agudas Israel Organiza-
tion . . . The formation of a new group
under the name of the United Agudas
Israel has been announced.
Two important meetings of American
Zonist leaders were held last week in
connection with the forthcoming special
session of the United Nations . . The
result of decisions adopted at these meet-
ings will soon be felt.
American Friends of the Hebrew Uni-
versity and the new Zionist group which
was formed recently by Dr. Israel Wechs-
ler to raise funds in this country for the
Hebrew University will soon announce
their merger . . . There has been much
dissension betwen the two groups, but
the board of directors of the Hebrew
University straightened out matters at
its meeting in New York last week.

THE DOMESTIC SCENE
The vicious "Communist smear" against
Jews is increasing in the Stith and on
the West Coast . . . Anti-Semitic propa-
gandists there are utilizing current anti-
Communist sentiments to drum up hatred
of the Jews .. . Bigots in other parts of
the United States are also adding to the
confusion . .. Significant is the fact that
Senator Reynolds' Nationalist Party mail-
ing list has come into the possession of
the recently-formed American Anti-corn-
munist Association . .. Former Governor
Earle of Pennsylvania was recently re-

•
RENEW THE BOYCOTT
POT POURRI
Coals to Newcastle Dept.: A young
According to Delbert Clark. New York
Times' correspondent in Berlin, Dr. ' woman named Marcy Jacobson opened a ported to have resigned as president of
Baumgartner said that as regards the record stand in the lobby of Carnegie the organization .. On the other hand,
Jewish DPs in Bavaria, the "only pleasant Hall, in New York, last November . . .1 Jewish organizations combatting ' anti-
thing . . was (their) unanimous resolu- The stand has done so well that she plans Semitism note a sharp decline in anti-
tion to leave Germany." Dr. Baumgartner, to open another near the dress circle to Semitic organizational activities.
however, advised caution in relations to catch the balcony crowd that doesn't go? The situation regarding anti-Semitism
other Jews, especially Americans—"Let through the lobby . . . Fred Brainin, a on an individual basis is wholly different
us . . . certainly not be unwise; we shall successful Viennese poet before 1938 and . . • Anti-Jewish talk among individuals
never be able to do—without the Jewish nephew of the late great author Reuben , has increased, while discrimination in edu-
business men in the States and the rest of Brainin, won a prize in the New RePub-; cation,
and industry
continues
to be a business
major problem
. . . Restrictions
the world ; we need them for the re-estab- lic's short story contest for a tale entitled against Jews at resorts and realty develop-
lishment of our old trade relations." We "The Eisenhower Jacket" . . . A World ments is as tangible as ever . . . In the
think that these statements are self-ex- War II vet, Fred has been happy to learn opinion of Jewish investigators. Gerald
planatory—the answer of Jews every- that recently some of his poems wer4 read L. K. Smith is on the verge of demagogic
where will be resumption of the boycott over the air in Vienna .
bankruptcy . . . He has recently become
* a *
on German goods irrespective of State
associated with George W. Armstrong,
Department contentions that we must en- GOOD NEIGHBOR
of Natchez, Miss., who publishes anti-
courage German exports in order to be
Dr. Maurice Hochschild, Bolivian tin Semitic material on an extensive scale,
able to collect reparations and to stabilize magnate, believes in cultural inter-rela- principally out of Fort Worth . . . This
Germany. The Jews and other racial tion between Latin America and the USA month Smith published a reprint of "The
groups in Europe who died in the millions . So he has established the Hochschild International Jew," that scurrilous work
at the hands of strong Germany, refuse Fellowship which provides enough funds repudiated by the late Henry Ford twenty
to assist in making the Huns strong once to cover tuition fees and living expenses years ago . . . Smith is reported eagerly
again for a new slaughter crusade. for three Latin American post-graduate hoping for some sort of legal action
college students for one year's study at against him by the Ford organization,
haps it does. Perhaps education is the the American University, Washington, hoping that he will gain wide publicity.
more American evolutionary method D. C.... The grant is for quite a number
Los Angeles City Councilman McClana-
than legislation. But education certainly of years.
han was recalled by his constituency for
*
4,
*
is the slowest of all processes in arriv-
supporting Gerald Smith . . . On the
ATTENTION PUBLISHERS
ing at elimination of bigotries.
whole, the majority of the anti-Semitic
* * *
Victor E. Frankl is a Viennese psychia- group
the country are re-
s
. . o be losing ground . . . New
trist who spent two years in the Nazi 1 ported
ea
HENRY FORD
t
Henry Ford's death. will provide food torture camps at Auschwitz . . . "The Ex- groups
ups are poorly supported and appear
for historical recapitulation of incidents periences of a Psychiatrist in a Concentra-
( p
li t
n oor appreciable effect . l. . .Others
which at one time placed the auto mag- tion Camp" is the absorbing story of what languish
u
completely
y . .
away comp
nate on the top list of the world's anti- he saw happen to the minds of the men, Jews
. must f not be
ar
lulled into any false
gliish
with whom he suffered . . . Clinical incl.-, sense of security .
Semites.
The Dearborn Independent's history is siveness is combined with deep sympathy
in this unusual book
p and understanding
d
-
well known. Also, Mr. Ford's sponsorship
means it is so good that critics will invent
of the publication of the infamous for- . . . It's been published in German, but
new adjectives.
geries, "Protocols of the Elders of Zion," not yet in English . . . Alert publishers
Johnny Garfield slated for the lead in
was among the black marks on his record. can contact the author through this col- 1
"Moonrise," a hard-hitting film about
While Mr. Ford had apologized to the umn.
lynch-terror in the South.
late Louis Marshall for the support he
•
had given to anti-Semitism, after the suit PERSONALIA
Edward G. Robinson, who made his IN THE MAILBAG
started by Aaron Shapiro was declared a
Postman brought Nos. 1 and 2 in the
mistrial, publication of the "Protocols," in fame in films as public enemy number
series being issued. by the
translation in many languages, had world- one, will play a beat-pounding member new pamphlet
of "New York's Finest". in his next film.' Zionist Organizations of America's' -De-
wide circulation.
Frank Sinatra may be Peglarized soon partment of Education . . . Dealing with
To the credit of the Fords it should be
said that in recent years they did their . . . Westbrook likes to smear people who the Haganah and the General Zionist
utmost to prevent the publication of the fight bigotry and discrimination as Frank program, these brochures are informative
and popularly written . . . They're well
"Protocols." Henry Ford H, like his fa- does.
Charlie Chaplin's new film, "Monsieur worth reading . . . Other titles iii prep-
ther, the late Edsel Ford, consistently re-
pudiated anti-Semitism. What the late Verdoux—A Comedy of Murders," is the aration include "Your ZOA" and '.`Basic
Henry Ford was unable to correct his best he's done yet, according to a friend , Zionist Documents" ... The series prom-
atgootbintroduetionl to< Zionism.
-grerfeleorr-rrtrey-

