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THE JEWISH NEWS
TWO
Palestine Suspends Visas
To and From the Country
.
JERUSALEM, CJTA) — The
Palestine Government announc-
ed that it will suspend the issu-
ance of all visas to and from Pal-
estine beginning April 21.
A dusk-to-dawn curfew was
imposed on all country roads in
Palestine effective Sunday, while
fierce battles continued to rage
in various parts of the country.
The major battle was proceed-
ing in the vicinity of the strategic
Arab village of Castel. The vil-
lage, overlooking the Jerusalem-
Tel Aviv road — life line for
food convoys to the 100,000 Jews
in the Holy City — has changed
hands four times in five days.
Haganah forces captured Wadi
Sara, another Arab stronghold
dominating the road between Tel
Aviv and Jerusalem. After a
brief but sharp exchange with
Iraqui troops, they succeeded in
occupying another nearby camp
evacuated by the British ten days
ago. The camp was offered for
sale to the Jewish Agency about
two months ago for $44,000, on
condition that the land remain
Arab. After the Agency refused
this condition, the government
presented the camp to the Arabs
with no strings attached.
A severe battle developed in
Tiberias' streets, especially in
the old section, after the Arab
Legion, assisted by local Arabs,
broke the truce in the city which
has lasted for about three weeks.
At least eight Jews and eight
Arabs were killed in the skirm-
ish.
Fighting broke out when mem-
bers of the Arab Legion sudden-
ly opened fire on a group of
Jews. Jewish troops immediate-
ly rushed to the aid of the Jew-
ish population and succeeded in
driving the Legionnaires into an-
other section • of Tiberias. In ad-
dition to those killed, 22 Arabs
and 10 Jews were wounded.
Members of the Arab . Legion
also attacked Jews working in
the fields of the Jewish settle-
ment of Dagania, and near the
adjoining Mitzpa settlement. Two
Jews were killed and two wound-
ed: The Legionnaires retreated
on trucks after the arrival of
Jewish defenders.
High Commissioner Sir Alan
G. Cunningham met with repre-
sentatives of the Jewish , agency
and the Palestine Arab Higher
Committee to clarify various as-
pects of his call for a truce in
Palestine.
He explained that his call was
intended to save lives in the
country while the political ques-
tion was being discussed at the
truce negotiations at Lake Suc-
cess. The local armistice, he as-
serted, would be on a humani-
tarian basis .and would leave the
political issues alone pending a
truce decision at the UN. His
views were later presented to the
emergency session of the Zionist
Actions Committee in Tel Aviv.
Purely Commentary
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Kirsten Flagstad's Record
-
Kirsten Flagstad, famous singer who lived peacefully in her
native Norway clUring the entire period of that country's occupa-
tion by the Nazis, is scheduled to come to Detroit as soloist with the
Detroit Symphony Orchestra. In this connection, your Commen-
tator would like to quote from an editorial in the April 15,
1947, issue of Friends of Democracy's Battle, published by Friends of
Democracy of which Dr. L. M. Birkhead is national director. The
editorial stated:
Under ordinary circumstances, most of us would rejoice that the •
war's end meant our being able once again to hear a great artist from
a foreign land. Unfortunately, these are not ordinary circumstances,
and our joy is clouded by the knowledge that in rushing to hear Miss
Flagstad we are setting a precedent of welcoming Nazi collaborationists.
Charges, denials, and countercharges have whirled around the subject
of Miss Flagstad for the last six years. But this much—gleaned from
statements by Miss Flagsted herself and from various official Norwegian
government sources—seems clear: In April, 1941, AFTER the occupation
of her country by the Nazis, Miss Flagstad left America to join - her
husband, Henry Johansen, in Norway. At that time, both the Nor-
wegian Legation in Washington and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs in London urged her not to make the trip and refused to help
her obtain necessary visas. Nevertheless, she flew from here to Portugal,
a Fascist-dominated country, and went from there through and over Nazi
territory to Norway. As the Norwegians have pointed out, this trip
could not have been made without Nazi sanction and assistance. Furth-
ermore, Mr. Johansen lived at peace and did business with Nazis during
the entire occupation with the exception of one brief period, variously
reported to have lasted from fifteen hours to a week, during which he
was confined by the Gestapo on charges of black market activity.
Shortly after Norway's liberation, Mr. Johansen was arrested on charges
of collaborating with the Germans; he was charged with being a member
of Vidkun Quisling's National Samling Party and with having made a
profit of 60,000,000 crowns in dealings with the Nazis. Around this
time talk of Miss Flagstad's returning to America caused the Norwegian
News Service to comment: "We feel that if Kirsten Flagstad is allowed
to return to the United States (to) take up her career it will create
ill feeling in Norway. The people are slow to forget." Mr. Johansen
died in prison on June 25, 1946. Miss Flagstad returned to the United
States in March 1947, and began a concert tour April 6. Have the Nor-
wegians "forgotten?" That seems unlikely. Should we "forget?"
Or should we demonstrate that much as we love music, we hate oppression
more? We cannot in good conscience welcome a person who not only
watched unprotestingly the destruction of her democratic countrymen
but also cooperated with the desroyers. We cannot expect the good will
or democratic people everyhere if we are to extend the welcome mat to
recent Nazi collaborators. Shouldn't we instead stay away from Miss
Fiagstad's concerts, write our newspapers protesting her appearance,
urge the American Guild of Musical Artists to revoke the permit for
her concert tour? Americans who hate oppression will take their stand
beside C. J. Hambro, President of the Norwegian Parliament, who
declared that as far as Norwegians are concerned the once beloved
Hirsten Flagstad is dead.
`No Alternative to Anti-Semitism in Germany, Austria
Partition,'---SmutsIs Increasing, JDC Parley Is Told
PARIS, (JTA)
Anti - Semit-
ism in Germany and Austria is
on the increase despite the firm
policy of the American Military
Government, Joint Distribution
Committee officials from those
two countries reported to the
all-Europe conference of JDC di-
rectors.
Samuel Hallob, director in the
British zone of Germany, sharply
criticized the British occupation
authorities for their apathetic at-
titude toward anti-Jewish inci-
dents in that area. He pointed
out, however, that "in view of
the situation in Palestine, British
troops are behaving admirably"
toward the Jews.
Unemployment In Italy
Louis Horowitz, director of the
JDC program in Italy, declared
that although the Italian Govern-
ment and the Italian people are
Sympathetic to the plight of the
refugees in that country, they
would nonetheless like to see
them leave Italy because of the
unemployment problem. All
speakers at the conference agreed
that the morale of Europe's Jew-
ish DP's is at the lowest point
since the end of thp war.
Dr. William Haber, advisor on
Jewish affairs to the U. Com-
mand in Europe, said that the
United Nations decision to re-
consider partition was a stun-
ning blow to the Jewish' DPs. He
emphasized that the new develop-
ments on Palestine should not
affect the emigration of the refu-
gees
ees to Palestine and other coun-
tries, adding that the United
States must take the lead in the
admission of displaced Jews.
Army Protects Jews
Asserting that it is impossible
for Jewish refugees in Germany
to participate in the German
economy, Dr. Haber insisted that
they are safe for the moment
only because of the presence of
the U. S. Army. He disclosed that
of 2,200 DPs now imprisoned in
German jails, only 105 are Jews.
M. W. Beckelrnan, JDC deputy
European director, emphasized
the need for speed in solving the
DP problem by emigration and
also noted the growth of anti-
Semitism in Germany. The JDC
and the International Refugee
Organization, he stated, are pre-
paring for the departure of the
—
FIELD MARSHAL SMUTS
PRETORIA, So. Africa (JTA).
"I 'see no alternative to partition,
but nobody wishes it to be ac-
hieved through massacre and in-
ternational complications, and -
some interim measure mr,;,- yet
prevent irremediable mischief,"
Field Marshal Jan C. Smuts,
South Afridan Prime Minister,
declared in a cable to Dr. Chaim
Weizmann.
Replying to Dr. Weizmann's
request to state his views "at this
critical moment" when attempts
are being made to revise the
Palestine partition decision of the
United Nations, Gen. Smuts, long
known as a friend of a Jewish
Palestine, added:
"The American proposal for
UN trusteeship appears to be
intended as an interim measure
to prevent a terrible situation
such as may arise immediately
on the termination of the Brit-
ish Mandate . and which has al-
ready begun. I myself feel deep-
ly Concerned over the possibili-
ties of this situation. Something
may happen in that vacuum of
public authority after British
withdrawal and before the new
regime is in working order —
which may shock the world's con=
science and even precipitate an
international crisis."
Rabbi Adler Opens
United Synagogue
Biennial Parley
Rabbi Morris Adler of Congre-
gation Shaarey Zedek, will be a
principal participant in the pro-
gram of the biennial convention
of the United Synagogue of
America, national organization of
Conservative congregations, at
the Stevens Hotel in Chicago,
May 13 through 17, it was an-
nounced by Rabbi Albeit I, Gor-
don, executive director.
More than a ti - :.usand dele-
gates, representhig 400 congre-
gations throughout the United
States and Canada, will attend
the convention, which will mark
the thirty-fifth anniversary of
the United Synagogue.
Highlighting the convention
will be a special session on "The
Jewish State—Promise and Chal-
lenge" and a joint session of the
United Synagogue of America
and the Rabbinical Assembly of
America at which the Solomon
Schechter Award for distin-
guished service to the Jewish
community and humanity will
be conferred upon an honored
American.
Rabbi Adler will address the
opening session of the conven-
tion on the theme, "New Goals
for Conservative Judaism."
Many apologists for Miss Flagstad have contended that she was
unfairly accused of pro-Nazi sentiments. Virgil Thomson, N. Y.
Herald Tribune music critic, asserted that "Miss Flagstad has been
declared without taint of disloyalty by her own government, the
Norwegian, notoriously the most severe in Europe toward collab-
orators," Many of us have yet to be convinced that this is so. In any
event, it would be hard to forget the charges—and we have not
overlooked the defense—on the eve of her visit here.
* - *
Egypt Bars Richard Mowrer: Another Job for the .UN
Richard Mowrer, N. Y. Post and Overseas News Agency corre-
spondent in Jerusalem, was refused a visa to go to Egypt and was
told by the Egyptian Consular representative in Palestine:
"In view of the pro-Zionist policy (of the Post and ONA) I am
obliged to refuse you a visa.. I am sorry but this is a directive by
my government regarding correspondents wishing a visa to Egypt."
Mr. Mowrer has cabled this information to William Benton, chief
U. S. delegate to the UN world conference on freedom. It will be
interesting to learn whether talk about freedom of the press is a
false gesture for public opinion or whether it will sincerely be aimed
for by the world organization.
Arabic countries have blatantly abused all elements of fieedom.
They have prevented Jews from entering their ports and have denied Rabbinical Assembly
admission even to Jewish members of American military forces.
Now, they would suppress information if it is pro-Zionist. To- To Convene in Chicago
morrow they may do it if it is pro-American. In the interest of
The 48th annual convention of
freedom, the UN—and also the U. S.—should act promptly in this
the Rabbinical Assembly of
matter.
America, whose membership in-
Traditionalists Who Inspire Faith
cludes more than 400 Conserva-
A patriarchal Detroit orthodox Jewish scholar who recently tive rabbis in this country and in
retired from the bookselling business provided this Commentator Canada, will be held at the Sher-
with a bit of cheer this week. We had his slip for solicitation for the man Hotel, Chicago, May 16 to
Allied Jewish Campaign. In remitting his check in full for his 1948 18, according to Rabbi Israel M.
pledge, he profusely thanked us for working for the Campaign. Goldman, president.
That's the kind of spirit which inspires new faith and courage in
Delegates to the convention
workers. It is recognition that it is our collective job and that no one
is immune from responsibility in this grave hour in our history. It will discuss "New Demands on
is good that the influence of the patriarchs is not waning.
Conservative JUdaism."
.
Friday, April 16, 1948
Jews from Europe through voca-
tional retraining programs, con..
ducted by the ORT. He also ex-
pressed concern over the delay
in passing legislation for the ad-
mission. of DPs to the United
States.
JDC Aids Emigrants
Some 5,500 Jews have been as-
sisted by JDC's immigration de-
partment in leaving Europe dur-
ing the first three months of 1948,
Herbert Katzky,_ acting director
of the department, reported. He
added that there are 80,000 per-
sons on the JDC's emigration lists
in Europe.
No more than 170,000 Jewish
children in Europe below the age
of 18 survived the war, as com-
pared with the 1939 estimate of
1,500,000, it was reported at the
conference. Practically all of
them are being aided by local
child-care programs financed by
the JDC. Despite their , war ex-
periences, the children's mental
and physical health were des-
cribed as exceptionally good.
About 40,000 of them are still liv-
ing under abnormal conditions in
camps for displaced Jews it was
revealed. However it was empha-
sized that the birth rate among
Jews in the DP camps of Germany
is 60 per 1,000 population — the
highest in the world—while the
infant mortality rate is the
world's lowest.
Austria Arranges Broadcast
Thanking Americans for JDC Aid
VIENNA, (JTA)—Members of
the Austrian Government joined
BroniSlaw Teichholz, president of
the Committee for Refugees and
Former Inmates of Concentration
Camps, in broadcasting "a mes-
sage of gratitude" to American
Jewry for the aid sent to refugees
in Austria through the Joint
Distribution Committee.
Teichholz revealed that more
than 140,000 Jewish refugees
have passed through Austria to
date en route to Palestine and
Western Europe. About 20,000
transient refugees from East
European countries are still in
Austria, he said. "There exists
no expression of thanks for the
aid American Jewry has given to
the European Jews," he said. His
address was broadcast by short-
wave to the United States.
Between You and Me
By BORIS SMOLAR
(Copyright. 1948, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
Washington Trends
A race against time between the U.S. Government and the
Jewish Agency is now on behind the scenes ... The U.S. is apparent-
ly determined to see that no Jewish Provisional Government is
established in Palestine after May 15 . . . But the Jewish Agency is
set on proclaiming such a government on May 16, a day after
termination of the Mandate . . . This the State Department is trying
to prevent by rushing its plans for the special session of the UN
General Assembly ... The State Department is expecting the special
session to last no longer than three weeks . . . If the trusteeship plan
is accepted even a week before termination of the mandate, there
will be no legal basis for the establishment of a Jewish Provisional
Government which, if established, will not receive recognition . .
One of the measures advocated by certain officials in Washington
to bring the Palestine Jews "into line" is to extend the current em-
bargo on arms to the transfer of funds . . . If a Jewish Provisional
Government is established in opposition to the decision of the UN,
funds raised ill- the US for Palestine may not be permitted to leave
the country . . . On the other hand, if U.S. trusteeship proposal is
accepted by the Jews and by the Arabs, the chances for large Amer-
ican loans to Palestine are very good, Washington officials indicate.
Truce Talks
Whatever the results of the present Palestine truce talks, it is
safe to predict that there will be no Arab-Jewish armistice even
while the UN Assembly is in session . . At a closed meeting of
leaders of Jewish and non-Jewish civic groups arranged by the
State Department, the Palestine truce issue came under lengthy
discussion . . . A high State Department official indicated that
America does not intend to implement its truce proposal, but hopes
rather for a voluntary Arab-Jewish agreement . . Otherwise , Jews
and Arabs will be left to fight it out between themselves.
There is much talk among Zionists now over a speech delivered
by Dr. Chaim Weizmann in New York at a private dinner tendered
him by friends . The views expressed by Dr. Weizmann on Pales-
tine were more philosophical than political . .. However, some of
them created a sensation and would have been explosive if they were
expressed at a public gathering . . . Dr. Weizmann was urged to
cancel his return to London, and did so although his luggage was
already on the "Queen Mary" on which he would have sailed the
next day.
What Price Education?
The sum spent last year by the existing 31 central agencies for
Jewish education in all sections of the U.S. was about $2,335,000 . .
Local federations and welfare funds contributed $1,570,000 to this
sum . . . The remainder came from tuition and special fund-raising
efforts . . . Thirteen of the agencies had their budget covered com-
pletely by federations and welfare funds .. . American Friends of
the Hebrew University is now streamlining its activities . . . New-
impetus to the work of the organization has been given by Dr. Israel
Wechsler, since he became president ... Due to his efforts, a Uni-
versity House has been acquired in the most distinguished section of
Fifth Ave. . . The house is now becoming a curtural center for
Palestinian guests and for Americans interested in Palestine.