Page Two
THE JEWISH NEWS
Detroit Rally Will Demand
Lifting of Zion Embargo
Arab Union Leaders
Pledge Cooperation
With Jewish Labor
Friday, March 5, 1948
Histadrut Gets $200,000,
Need $50,000 More for Goal
Senator Charles W. Tobey of New Hampshire to Be Guest
NEW YORK.—The hope that Closing Event on March 21, at Cass Tech, to be Trans-
Speaker Here on March 16 at Cass High under Auspices
formed into Demonstration to Mobilize Detroit
two independent states will be es-
Of Zionist Council and Cooperating Organizations
tablished in Palestine "based on
for Jewish State Efforts; Bartley Crum to Speak
Senator Charles W. Tobey of
New Hampshire, one of the
staunchest supporters of the
Jewish position in Palestine, will
be the principal
speaker at a
public rally to
be held Tuesday
evening, March
16, at Cass Tech-
nical High school
auditorium.
Arranged un-
der the super-
vision of t h e
Zionist Council
of Detroit, many Senator Tobey
local organizations and all lands-
manshaften affiliated with the
Detroit Yiddish Folk Organiza-
tions are cooperating in the spon-
sorship of this meeting, which • is
intended for mobilization of the
sentiments of Jews and Christ-
ians in support of the Jewish
state in Palestine.
Benjamin M. Laikin, president
of the Zionist Council, announced
that an outstanding national
Jewish leader also is expected to
address this rally in behalf of
Haganah and the Allied Jewish
Campaign which is to provide
funds for Jewish defense.
Meanwhile, thousands of mes-
sages are pouring into Washing-
ton from Detroit demanding that
our government should insist
upon immediate implementation
of the UN Palestine decision and
that steps should be taken to
lift the embargo on arms in order
that the Jews of Palestine should
not be left helpless.
During his visit in Detroit, Sen-
ator Tobey will be the guest of
the Michigan Chapter of t h e
American Christian Palestine
Committee at a dinner at the
Bood Cadillac Hotel. Judge Frank
A. Picard, chairman of the Chris-
tian Palestine Committee, will
preside at the dinner. Prominent
educators, clergymen and politi-
cal leaders in Detroit -and other
Michigan communities will be
present.
Purely Commentary
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
United—Without Obstructions—We Shall Win
From time to time it becomes necessary to remind obstructionists
in our ranks that in time of crisis it is criminal to interfere with the
united efforts of our people to secure justice in Palestine.
Dr. J. L. Magnes didn't help our cause any by accepting the aid
of an avowed enemy—Virginia Gildersleeve—for a program which
he insists upon advancing as a solution even after Arabs had rejected
it and the United Nations had reached an historic decision in an-
other direction.
There are others in our ranks—many of them frightened Jews,
others too stubborn to admit the unreality of their personal- ap-
proaches to the issue—who stand in the way of unity. It was for the
benefit of people like these that Abraham Lincoln, the Great Eman-
cipator, told this story:
"Gentlemen, suppose all the property you were worth was
in gold, and you had put it in the hands of Blondin to carry
across the Niagara River on a rope; would you shake the cable,
or keep shouting out to him—'Blondin, stand up a little straight-
er—stoop a little more—go a little faster—lean a little more to
the north—lean a little more to the south?' No, you would hold
your breath as well as tongue until he was safe over. The Gov-
ernment is carrying an immense weight. Untold treasures are in
our hands. We are doing the very best we can. Don't badger us.
Keep silent and we'll get you safe across."
Fortunately, men like former Governor Herbert Lehman, Henry
Morgenthau Jr. and others have become important factors in cement-
ing unity in Jewish ranks. Those who strive for unity will be prig-
ileged to see the day when "Zion shall be redeemed with justice."
* * *
The Disraelis
—
Contrast in Visions
Jan. 19 marked the centennary of the passing in Bucks, England,
at the age of 82, of Isaac D'Israeli, father of the Earl of Beaconsfield
(Benjamin Disraeli). It will be recalled that the elder D'Israeli had a
dispute with the elders of the Bevis Marks Synagogue, had separated
himself from the Jewish community and consented to the baptism
of his children. He did not join the church and is said to have shown
an interest in Reform Judaism. He lived to see his son elected to
Parliament.
Although apologists for Isaac D'Israeli are anxious to prove that
he had consented to his children's baptism with reluctance, the con-
trast in attitudes on - the status of the Jewish people of father and
son — both of whom became eminent in the literary world — is
especially interesting at this time. The elder D'Israeli wrote:
"The Jewish people are not a nation, for they consist of many
nations. They reflect the color of the spot they rest on. The people of
Israel are like water running through vast countries, tinged in their
course • with all the varieties of the soil in which they deposit them-
selves. Every native Jew, as a political being, becomes distinct from
other Jews. The Hebrew adopts the hostilities and alliances of the
land where he was born. He calls himself by the name of his country."
Sounds familiar, doesn't it? It is like the language of a Lessing
Rosenwald. Isaac D'Israeli might have known better had he lived in
the days of Pobedonostzev, the Russian and. Polish pogromists, Hitler
and Bevin.
His famous son did know better. Benjamin was a great advocate
of Jewish national rebirth. Unlike his father he foresaw the national
redemption of our people. There is prophetic wisdom in this descrip-
tion of the Hebrew Harvest Festival:
cooperation of Arab and Jewish
workers" was voiced by Arab
leaders in a cable received by the
National Committee for Labor
Palestine.
The cable was signed by Mus-
tafa el Abdallah and Bishara el
Issa, leaders of the Palestine
Labor League, a trade union
movement of over 5,000 Arab
workers that has cooperated with
Histadrut, the General Federation
of Jewish Labor, for 20 years.
Addressed to American Fed-
eration of Labor and Congress of
Industrial Organizations unions
in Detroit, which recently held
a special conference on Palestine,
the cable stated:
"Abba Hushi who returned last week
brought us further encouragement in
your name. On behalf of pioneers of
cooperation between Arab and Jewish
workers organized in Palestine Labor
League, we express deepfelt gratitude
to Detroit workers for readiness to
stand by us in our difficult sacred
task. With help of loverS of peace and
freedom throughout the world and
with fraternal assistance of American
workers we hope to be able to estab-
lish in our independent states a free
workers' society based on cooperation
of Arab and Jewish workers.
(Signed) MUSTAFA EL ABDALLAH
BISHARA EL ISSA."
Jews Ready to Accept
UN Rule in Jerusalem
LAKE SUCCESS, (JTA) — A
Jewish Agency spokesman told
the Trusteeship Council that the
Jews are ready to accept a full-
fledged UN democratic regime in
Jerusalem for the next ten years.
In presenting the Agency's
views on the proposed draft
statute for the internationaliza-
tion of Jerusalem, Dr. Mordecai
Eliash said the Agency is opposed
to the principle of proportionate
representation in electing the
city's legislative body. 'He said
such a plan recognizes an Arab-
Jewish cleavage whiCh may not
exist.
JWB Purim Broadcast
Transcription Available
NEW YORK. — The Jewish
Book Council of America, spon-
sored by the National Jewish Wel-
fare Board, has produced and
transcribed a 15-minute radio
program keyed to the observance
of Purim, March 25, for use by
Jewish Community Centers and
YM - YWHAs throughout the
country, it is announced by Dr.
Solomon Grayzel, Book Council
president.
Titled "The Literary Signifi-
cance of Purim," the program
explains the history of the festi-
val and includes a discussion of
various books of importance to
the Jewish people.
Jewish groups that can secure
broadcast time on local radio
stations may get the recording
without cost by writing to the
Department of Public Informa-
tion, National Jewish Welfare
Board, 145 E. 32nd St., New
York 16, N. Y.
Haganah Trooper .
"The vineyards of Israel have ceased to exist, but the
eternal law enjoins the children of Israel still to celebrate the
vintage. A race that persists in celebrating their vintage, al-
though they have no fruits to gather, will regain their vine-
yards. What sublime inexorability in the law! But what in-
domitable spirit in the people!"
Now, many .decades after these lines were written, more than
a century after the ingloriously contrasting view was penned by the
father of the. great English statesman, we are gathering the fruits,
we have the vineyards and we are defying the obstructionists within
and without the ranks of Israel.
The son Benjamin knew the power of the "indomitable spirit"
of Israel. He will assume a place among the modern prophets in
• Israel. The father Isaac, who led his children to the baptismal font,
only understood the adaptability of the Hebrews. He, therefore, will
remain known only as the father of a son who had greater vision
and more deep-rooted loyalty to the people the father placed so little
faithin. The baptised son emerges great; the father—blind.
* *
The Price of Liberty'
• Although part of the sum ->
already raised was in outstanding ets will be started at the weekly
pledges, the entire $200,000 has rally next Thursday evening,
been sent to the National Com- March 11, in the Labor Zionist
mittee for Labor Palestine for Institute. Solicitors and organi-
transmittal to the Histadrut, loans zational representatives will have
arranged by Detroit friends of the admission cards for distribution
Histadrut making it possible to to contributors.
answer Histadrut's call for funds,
Michael Taich, director of or-
Mr. Lieberman states.
ganizations, asks all organizations
The Committee in charge of to schedule their Histadrut eve-.
the city-wide demonstration of nings at once, to complete their
March 21 declared that it plans solicitations and immediately re-
to make it not only an evening port their results to the Thursday
marking the successful conclu- evening rally or to the Histadrut
sion of the 1948 Histadrut cam- campaign office.
paign, but rather one of protest
Encouraging Results
and mobilization of Detroit
Mrs. A. Avrin of the Chernigov
Jews for unprecedented sup- Loyever Society, J. Schulman of
port on all fronts to ensure the the Turover Aid, and .other
realization of the Palestine groups, were given special recog-
Jewish State.
nition during the week for their
"Workers, friends and support- outstanding services.
ers of the Histadrut are ready and
Philip Goldstein and Morris
eager to do their share," said Levine of LZOA 2 reported -that
Louis Levine, a member of the their group had already achieved
program committee and chairman its $6,000 goal, more than double
of the organizations committee last year's, with additional money
under whose leadership organiza- still to be raised.
tions are expected to raise 35 per
Mr. and Mrs. Saul Stein and
cent of the $250,000 goal.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Noveck, re-
addition
to
Bartley
Crum,
In
porting on behalf of the recently
prominent San Francisco' attor- organized LZOA 7, announced all
ney who served on the Palestine members had participated in the
Inquiry CommisSion and whO is work, with Mrs. Ida Lowe in the
championing the Jewish cause lead.
4s chairman of the National .
The Pioneer Women's Commit-
Council of Americans for Haga- tee announced that all affiliated
nah, the program of the March, clubs are participating in the
21. demonstration will include drive.
the Halevy Choral Society un-
Philip Imber, representative of
der the direction of Pavel Sla- Farband Branch 137, announced
vensky and the Habonim Zion- that the Branch, with $85,000
ist Youth Groups.
already raised, would reach its
Distribution of admission tick- $100,000 .goal.
Between You and Me
By BORIS SMOLAR
(Copyright, 1948 Jewish Telegraphic . Agency, Inc.)
The Political Kettle
The Presidential nomination of Harry S. Truman at the Demo-
cratic Party convention this summer is now in doubt, as a result of
the new U. S. policy on Palestine . . . Leaders of the Democratic
Party do not feel that they can take a chance on him now . . . They
doubt whether he would be re-elected if Jews in New York, Phila-
delphia, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago refuse to vote for
him ... They are discussing new combinations . . . One plan proposes
Sam Rayburn, former Speaker of the House, for President, and
Henry Wallace for Vice-President . . . This would necessitate the
return of Wallace into the Democratic fold, but such a possibility is
not entirely excluded . . Especially if this combination should be
considered best in paving the way for the Democrats to remain in
the White House ... It is admitted in Democratic circles that Truman
is too much under the influence of Secretary of Defense James' For-
resetal and Under Secretary of State Robert A. Lovett—both tied up
with big business interests ... In order to dispel the negative im-
pression created by the U. S. reversal on the Palestine issue, Lovett
arranged a private lunch with a few trusted correspondents . .
However, their inspired reports did not achieve the purpose sought
*
*
*
The Zionist Front
There is a feeling of gloom among the Zionist leaders over the
confusion which the U. S.—of all countries—introduced into the
Palestine issue . . . But there is no let-up in the plan for the estab-
lishment of a Jewish Provisional Council of Governthent in PaleStine
on April 1, as provided in the UN partition decision . . . Zionist
leaders feel that the establishment of a provisional government on
that day would block the possibility of many unpleasant political
moves that may be made between then and May 15, when the Man-
date expires . . . One such move, apparently planned by the U. S., is
to "induce" the British to remain in Palestine even after the expira-
tion of the Mandate . If a Jewish Provisional Government is in
existence six weeks prior to the end of the Mandate, the British will.
be faced with the necessity of negotiating with such a government,•
should they choose to vemain in Palestine . . ; This is why Jewish`'
Agency leaders are determined to present Britain with a fait accompli , 4.:.,
on April 1.. . . Also. because the Provisional' Council; when estab-
lished, will be in a legal position to form its own militia .•. • By that.,
time, the militia will be properly armed, whether the arms come
from the United States or elsewhere . . .It is no longer a secret that
despite British assertions to the contrary, they would like to remain
in Palestine .
•
*
Here and There
An Incomplete History
—
Nathan Schachner's "The Price of Liberty: A History of the
American 3ewish Committee" is a well written and a most interest-
ing book. It is however, incomplete.
Take the -feferences to the Fdtd trial. Is there any reason why
the name of Aaron .Sapiro should have been omited from the his-
torical record? It is true that Sapiro received some very unpleasant
publicity after the trial, because of certain aeronautical involve-
ments. But, it was he who started the suit against Henry Ford and
forced the apology. Give the devil his due. •
There are other errors in the book, but let it suffice for us just
to point to this one.
The Detroit Histadrut (Gewerkshaften) Campaign for
$250,000, which will close wit ha city-wide Histadrut demon-
stration at Cass Tech on Sunday evening, March 21, has
already gone over the $200,000 mark, -Morris Lieberman,
chairman of the executive board, reported.
Jewish security trooper on
guard at a Palestine outpost.
The State Departnient is now making preparations to take over
the administration of displaced persons in the U. S. zone of Germany
on July 1 . . . It is on that date that the U. S. Army will give up
supervision over civilian administrative matters in 'Germany . . .
Some of the work will then be turned over to the German adminis-
tration,. but not the work of taking care of DPs• . . This will be done
by -the International Refugee Organization under the authority of
the State Department, which will bear the same responsibility now
resting with the Army ... New obligations with regard to displaced
Jews are developing for the Joint Distriution Coinmittee . . Hun-
dreds of Romanian JeWs who are in the DP camps are now 'con-
sidered as having illegally entered the camps .. . They are being
ejected by the U. S. military authorities and get no food from the'
Army. which only feeds "legitimate" DPs ... Thus, the JDC will now
have to provide food as well as shelter for this new class of Jewish
refugees ... A film on immigration, now being planned in Hollywood
by Universal-International, will show the work of the U. S. immigra-
tion and naturalization service in guarding against illegal entry into
the United States . .. It is highly doubtful whether this film will aid
the campaign to have Congress pass more liberal legislation for the
admission of more DPs to the U. S.