THE JEWISH NEWS
Page Two
Mrs. Golda Myerson Secures
$2,000,000 Advance UJA
Droock, Leo Butzel
Named to Executive
Committee of JDA
Friday, February 27, 1948
Truman Message to Congress
Calls Zion Issue World Test
Stirs Detroit Meetings With Appeals for Immediate
Leo M. Butzel and Aaron
WASHINGTON (JTA) — The eral Assembly's partition resolu-
Financial Help to Stave Off Dangers; Reports Yishuv
Droock have been elected mem- Palestine issue was cited by Pres- tion, together with a map of the
Holding Positions, Preparing for Statehood
bers of the executive committee ident Truman as one of the major proposed Jewish and Arab states,
"Give us your financial assistance Ih the fight for our
existence as a people . in Palestine. We will do the rest."
This was the major appeal to Detroit Jewry by Mrs. Golda
Myerson, head of the political department of the Jewish
Agency for Palestine, at a series of meetings on Feb. 18:
Mrs- . Myerson was the guest of the Allied Jewish Cam-
paign and the Jewish Welfare Federation- at luneheon and
dinner meetings and at a gath--
ering of 250 campaign workers
and community leaders at the
Book Cadillac Hotel.
That evening, upon the con-
clusion of her appeals to the
campaign leaders, Mrs. Myer-
son addressed a meeting of
Arlazaroff Branch of the Jew-
islr National Workers Alliance
at the Labor Zionist Institute.
More than 600 people filled to
capacity the auditorium and
adjoining foyer and pledged un-
tiring , continuation of efforts
for Palestine's upbuilding and
defense. Mrs. Myerson told the
labor Zionists that the Yishuv
will never abandon either Up-
per Galilee or the Negev and
that the fight will continue to a
finish for the early establish-
ment of the Jewish state.
Julian H. Krolik, Federatio,n
president, presided at the meet-
ing at the Book Cadillac' Hotel.
In addition to Mrs. Myerson's ad-
dress, an appeal was - made by
Harold Goldenberg of Minneapo-
lis that Detroit Jews adVa.nce the
sum of $2,000,000 towards the $50,-
000,000 immediate emergency
fund being raised through ad-
vance pledges at the urgent re-
quest of Mrs. Myerson and UJA
leaders.
Samuel H. Rubiner announced
that he succeeded in securing a
loan of $500,000 from the Nation-_
al Bank of Detroit, payable on
Aug. 1, to be applied to the $2,-
000,000 Detroit advance to the
UJA, Irving Blumberg, chairman
of a committee that is soliciting
advances to be applied to con-
tributions, reported that 45 of a
total of 150 to be approached al-
ready have advanced the sum of
$218,000.
An announcement by Mr.
Krolik regarding other advances
and collections on outstanding
1941 pledges indicated that the
$2,000,000 special fund is near-
ing completion. Nearly $100,-
000 was pledged by those in
Mrs. Myerson's audience after
her address.
At a press conference preced-
ing her address, Mrs. Myerson
said that, in spite of the many dis-
advantages, "we can hold out. We
have proved it. But we need a
great deal of financial support.
The Yishuv is making sacrifices
in men and money. It has just
launched a drive for a $10,000,-
000 defense fund. American Jews
must help carry the financial bur-
den."
Declaring that as a non-Amer-
ican she prefers not to discuss the
political aspects of the situation,
Mrs. Myerson — a former Mil-
waukee school teacher who has
resided in Palestine for 27 years
—asserted that "as long as we can
hold our ground the -United Na-
Mrs. Myerson Addressing. Fed-
. eration Meeting -here.
tions will surely step in to com-
plete the job."
"Haganah can and is handling
the situation," Mrs. Myerson said.
"Furthermore, the Palestinian
Arabs are not fighting. All the
trouble is caused from the out-
side, by ArabS from other • coun-
tries. The Mufti could not get the
villagers to join in his strife. All
our trouble is in the cities—in
Jaffa, Jerusalem, Haifa. The in-
vaders from Syria and Iraq even
have their • own food with them
since the Palestinian Arabs will
not provide them with necessi-
ties. Besides, there has been an
exodus of wealthy Arabs from
Palestine, more than 15,000 hav-
ing left Haifa alone. In Jerusalem
entire sections have been evacu-
ated by Arabs."
Gravity of Situation
Warning that the situation is
very grave and that there is im-
mediate need for arms for the
Jewish defenders of Zion, Mrs.
Myerson charged that Great
Britain is aiming at trapping the
Jews. She demanded treatment
for Jews on the basis of equality
with the Arabs in securing arms.
"Any sensible person who
knows the Middle East, knows
that Great Britain has failed to
gain Arab accord even at the ex-
pense of Jewish interests, and it
is difficult to figure out British
policies," she added. She ridicul-
ed claims that _oil plays an im-
portant role in the situation: "Ibn
Saud needs American dollars and
would have no need for Russian
rubles, contrary to claims that
Russia would take away the oil,"
she said.
Asked about the stability of
Palestine's economic situation,
Mrs. Meyerson said that Pales-
tine Jewry's economy is intact,
that preparations are being made
for the establishment of the Jew-
ish state and for the settlement
Heard in the Lobbies
By ARNOLD LEVIN
(Copyright, 1948, Independent Jewish Press Service, Inc.)
Washington Note: An Anti-Semite in The State Department •
The capital is abuzz with the report of a clash between the
Slav-born wife of a high State Department official, deeply involved
in the anti-partition intrigues, and the Jewish proprietor of a store
selling phonograph records. The lady, it is - said, walked into the
store to make some purchases and disposed, inter alia, of some vile
remarks about Jews. OUtraged, the proprietor refused. to fill her
order. The lady. left in a huff, and her parting shot was: "Some day
you'll be treated in this country the same as in Germany." The Anti-
Defamation League became interested but before it could - act . the
complainant decided to withdraw• hiS affidavits. "You .see," he said,
"I'm not yet naturalized. The husband of that •darne is • in a top
position in the State Department; as you see he has: sufficient influ-
ence to seriously obstruct a UN decision, and he might find it quite
easy to have me branded and deported."
The scared complainant, having been in this country only a few
years, underestimates American fair play. That official — his name
has been prominently mentioned in a recent expose of State De-
partment intrigues in Palestine — is influential, but we'll stake
American fair play against his deviousness and gall. any time .. .
We wonder, however, to what extent his anti-Zionism .stems from
his wife. No wonder some people are worried about the too-many
frauleins sneaking into this. country on Cupid's arrow.
world problems' in a report which is attached to the report. "Today
he submitted to Congress prior to
his departure for a trip to Florida the Holy Land tests the ability of
the world community to make a
and the Caribbean Sea.
The President. emphasized that peaceable disposition of this prob-
the United States delegation at lem now marked by strife," the
the United Nations did not pre- President emphasized.
sent the initial proposals for a
solution of the Palestine prob-
lem, but took an active part in InveStigates Training DPS
VIENNA (JTA) — Headquar-
arriving at such recommenda-
ters of the United States Forces
tions.
"The main objective of the in Austria opened an investiga-
United States Government on the tion of reports that Jewish dis-
Palestine problem," the President placed persons in zones of Aus-
reported, "was to assure the tria occupied by the Western
fullest possible consideration by Powers were receiving training
the General Assembly of all prac- for Haganah service in Palestine.
ticable alternative solutions and
the reaching of a carefully Sevin Confers With Bentwich
reasoned decision expressing the
LONDON (JTA) — Prof. Nor-
best judgment of the United Na- man Bentwich, noted British
tions as a whole on the wisest Jewish leader, who returned here
disposition to be made of this from a visit to Jerusalem, con-
small territory."
ferred with Foreign Secretary
In a letter which accompanied Bevin at the Foreign Office on
the report, Truman said that the the present situation in Palestine.
United States will continue its
policy of "carrying its full share Arabs Recruit Pro-Nazis
of responsibility and leadership
ROME (JTA)—Arab agents are
in the United Nations." Present- recruiting mercenaries . to fight
ing the Jewish and. Arab argu- against the Jews in Palestine
ments on Palestine, the President from among the Yugoslav Ustashi
stated: "For the United States, and Chetniks and the Ukrainians,
as for other members of the
of large numbers of Jewish im- United Nations, these rival plans Albanians, Circassians (former
migrants. On the other hand, she —each based upon historical, po- inhabitants of the northwestern
said, Arab economy is suffering litical and legal arguments—have area of the Caucasus) and other
groups here who were on Hit-
immensely.
created a dilemma of infinite ler's side during the war, and are
Mrs. Myerson told the Fed- complexity."
now under the care of the Inter-
eration that the existing war
The complete text of the Gen- national Refugee Organization.
affects not only the Jews of
Palestine but world. ewry. The
Jews of Palestine, she said,
raised more than $600,000 for
defense purposes and are cer-
tain to raise the $10,000,000
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
fund—in addition to the funds
being raised for the Karen Vacillations and False Political Issues
Hayesod and Karen Kayemeth.
An election in the Bronx has brought forth peculiar reactions.
"We are not sitting back wait- The entire press of this great land, and all the radio commentators,
suddenly
have become agitated by the fact that, in . an isolated dis-
ing for money from the United
a Wallace-backed candidate — a Jew — was elected to Con-.
States and South Africa, but trict,
gress in a normally. Democratic district. The successful candidate—
we look for YOUR help NOW. Leo Isacson — was a candidate on the American Labor Party ticket,
What we can accomplish to- but the cry that reverberates throughout the land is "Communist,
morrow may be unattainable in Communist!" •
Having consistently denied that there ever was a Jewish vote—
June, and we must have the
$50,000,000 advance fund for even in the heydays of FDR Jews were as equally proportionately-
Palestine defense and other divided as non-Jews among voters on a class basis our concern
in the present emergency is over the,.?,
UJA immediate needs at once. charge that the Palestine issue had so
We look to you to help us car- much to do with the rebellion in the Bronx.
ry the financial burden."
We are concerned in a double way:
It is our sincere feeling that if the voters: ::
"We have no intention of
evacuating Palestine," she con- cast their ballots for a man backed byii;
Henry Wallace because of their resent-'
tinued. "We are preparing for the anent of practices by both political parties
Jewish state. We have bought on the Palestine issue, then the politicians
several army camps as emergency should sit up and take notice — and ACT;
housing sites for immigrants and and if such a JEWISH VOTE was forced
the preparatory steps for state- upon a predominantly Jewish consistency,
then we resent even more the position in
hood are complete.
which our .people is being placed by vacil-
"The Mufti is getting the arms lating American leaders.
Britain is supplying to Syria and
We hold no brief for Isacson or Wal-
Iraq. We are not yet a recognized lace. We reaffirm the principle that
sovereign state and can not se- Americans vote — as they should — as
cure the arms freely and legally. Americans, and Jews in America DO vote
as Americans. But there "is an important
We therefore are at a disadvant- stake in our foreign policy insofar as the
age — yet we more than proved Palestine issue is concerned for American
LEO ISACSON
that we are and can hold our Jews whose kinsmen are fighting for their
ground. We have kept the roads lives in Judea. American leaders are -responsible in great measure
open. We must have means of for what is happening in Palestine, and if voters are showing their
bringing water and supplies to resentment at the polls, they are acting with a political intelligence
worthy of Americans.
the Negev.
Of particular interest in the Bronx election is that an
`We Must Hold Our Ground'
avowed friend of the Zionist cause, Dean Alfange, received a
scant 3,840 votes. Apparently the voters in that district felt
"There is no mystic guarantee
that Leo Isacson will more effectively represent the protest on
that we may not lose some bat-
the Palestine issue, since he made it -a plank in his platform.
tles, but up to the present we
What's wrong with that? Does that warrant the Communist
have not lost a. single one. Things
charge?
are bound to become more seri-
_ Perhaps the countrywide outburst is no more, no less, than part
ous and everything depends on
the witch-hunt from which we currently are suffering in this
our ability to hold our ground. country. (For instance, the banning of foreign-language broadcasts
If we hold out, the UN will im- on local radio stations is evidence of a new scare-campaign which
plement the decision. Unless we can not enhance the glorious traditions of America. This land be-
receive help we may not be able came great because our' traditions made it possible for newcomers
to continue to enjoy the folklore of their motherlands on our shores.
to hold out. We don't ask for Is there anything wrong with people enjoying the songs and the
manpower. Our boys and girls tongues of the lands they originated from? Why begrudge Jews,
will carry on. What we ask is the Poles, Italians and others the enjoyment of Yiddish, Polish, Italian
means to meet the budget — and and other hymns? The witch-hunt is on in full force. If it can be
the daily defense expense has checked, it is our collective responsibility to do so.)
Betrayals of promises to Jews in Palestine are abhorrent to
reached $150,000.
us. They are abhorrent to the Bronx voters. Detroit Jews are
"If we have stopped shedding
expressing their indignation in telegrams to their representa-
tears at funerals, you can not ex-
tives in Congress. The Bronx voters spoke their minds at the
pect us' to weep because Jews
polls. Liberty-loving people should applaud such sentiments
rather than condemn them with witch-hunting cries of "Com-
must exert themselves financially.
munism" and "Jewish vote." Insofar as WE are concerned, we
It means everything to hundreds
shall find it difficult to forgive any one who compels Jews to
of thousands of Jews in Europe
vote as Jews when they find it necessary to protest failure by
whether we win or lose, and it
responsible leaders to live up to their policies in a matter that
also means very mucIi to all Jews..
involves the lives of 700,000 Jews in Palestine and hundreds of
YOU can determine whether we
thousands of Jews who frantically are hammering their heads
shall be the victors, how long the
at the closed Palestinian gates while seeking escape from hu-
miliation in Displaced Persons' Camps.
struggle is to last and how many
Meanwhile the witch hunt continues. Great newspapers, in-
lives are to be lost. The Mufti
did not consult the UJA. leaders cluding Detroit's morning paper, are searching under our beds for
Communists and Jewish voters. They are not enhancing American
when to start the war and YOU idealism. They are advancing witch-hunts. We are compelled again
must change the calendar in to become vigilant lest destructive reactionary elements shoUld
fund-raising."
drive into the background the basic principles of Americanism.
of the National Council of the
Joint Defense Appeal, it was
announced by Donald Oberdorfer
of Atlanta, JDA executive com-
mittee chairman. The JDA is the
financial arm of the American
Jewish Committee and the Anti-
Defamation League of Bnai Brith,
making possible their program
against anti-Semitism.
The executive committee, con-
sisting of 54 members from 25
states, will guide the JDA Na-
tional Council of 600 top-ranking
communal leaders in all sections
of the nation in their effort to
raise $6,104,540 to• meet the 1948
minimum needs of the JDA
agencies. In Detroit, the JDA is
a beneficiary of the Jewish
Welfare Federation.
To obtain the cooperation of all
Michigan communities, Butzel and
Droock will work closely with
Oliver M. Kaufmann of Pitts-
burgh, vice-chairman of the JDA
Council. The eight Michigan
members of the National Council
will also aid in bringing honie
to local areas the vital necessity
for safe-gUarding the traditional
American principles of freedom
and equality.
Purely Commentary
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