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As the Editor
Views the News
...-
New Task for American Jews
Stirring VanPaassen Book
Challenges Mankind's Aims
Threats to Liberties
Every war shadow carries with it a threat
to liberty, to freedom of thought and expres-
sion. It has been that way through the
ages. It is being repeated now.
In his request that the New York Legis-
lature should declare an immediate "defense
emergency" which would grant hini unlimit-
ed powers in coping with problems that
would arise from an atomic attack, Gov-
ernor Thomas E. Dewey of New York asked
for powers to confiscate homes, communi-
cations, rail lines, private automobiles, news-
papers, radio stations and public utilities;
to conscript manpower; to take over banks;
to evacuate cities and to regulate all food
and other critical materials.
Nothinc, more frightening has ever been
compiled. b Justifying Mr. Dewey's request
for unlimited powers over the lives of 15,-
000,000 New York citizens, a spokesman for
the New York Governor said that his re-
quests are necessary because "our nation is
faced with an actual disastrous attack." To
deal with it, his constituents are asked to
approve a Soviet-like dictatorship.
It is imperative that liberty - loving
Americans should ask whether it is neces-
sary to fight the threat from dictatorships
by introducing a dictatorship. If we are to
retain faith in democracy, we must see to
it that its instruments are kept intact and
that witch-hunts are ruled out of American
life. But the war scares have brought about
a revival of the type of Alien and Sedition
Laws which have been rejected by this great
nation since the days of John Adams and
Thomas Jefferson; And now we have the
demands of Thomas Dewey for dictatorial
powers!
*
One Qf the tragedies of this era of war
hysteria is the haste with which our legis-
lators have adopted measures that curb our
freedoms. In a thought-provoking article—
"Civil Rights" — But Not Conspiracy" — in
the New York Times, the Socialist leader,
Norman Thomas, analyzes the dangers that
are inherent in Communism, but he warns
that Communists, trained "specialists in
sabotage", "aren't going to step up and reg-
ister" under the McCarran Act. He points
out that "just because we cannot settle our
problems by easy appeal to any libertarian
scriptures, we must be the more careful lest
in the name of fighting communism we lay
its foundation in America. He illustrates
his argument as follows:
"Liberty is not derived from a Bill of Rights but
protected by it. No written document can take
the place of a national will for freedom.
"Hence, specific problems involving the ap-
plication of high standards of freedom must
be solved by a common sense balance of rights
and interests and not automatically arrived at
by devotion to any single precept. A law may
be found constitutional by • a court; its pro-
. fessed purpose may be commendable or at
least defensible (as is the case with the Mc-
Carran Act) and yet it may in action - be enor-
mously hurtful.
"To use a homely illustration: rats have no
right in a farmer's barn, but he would be an
awful fool to burn down the barn to get rid
of the rats. Most of our current legislation—
the stupid and insulting exaction of special
loyalty oaths, the McCarran Act and the
various state imitations of it—belong to the
barn-burning type of legislation."
The proposals of Governor Dewey smack
of "barn-burning." They represent a threat
of dictatorship for Americans. In time of
grave danger it is necessary for free people
to adhere courageously to their principles.
But they will be unable to do that under dic-
tatorial rule which destroys the very basis
of Americanism. In time of crisis, it is espe-
cially important that Americans should be
on guard against dictatorial threats. In the
battle to protect liberty, we dare not sacri-
fice the right to liberty.
THE JEWISH NEWS
Member : American Association of English-Jewish News-
papers. Michigan Press Association.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing
Co. 708-10 David Stott Bldg.. Detroit 26, Mich., WO. 6-1156.
Subscription $3 a year; foreign $4.
Entered as second clam matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Post Office,
Detroit.. Mich.. under Act of March 3. 1879.
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor
SIDNEY SHMARAK, Advertising Manager
Vol. XVIII—No. 19 Page 4 January 19, 1951
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the thirteenth day of Shevat,
5711, the following Scriptural selections will be
read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion—Ex. 13: 17-17:16.
Prophetical portion—Judges 4:4-5:31.
Hamisha Asar b'Shevat will be observed
Monday.
Prophecy and Peace
DingeIrs Bill to Aid Israel
When Congressman John D. Dingell spoke here last
November at the annual conference of the Jewish National
Fund; he volunteered to sponsor legislation to extend aid to
Israel in the amount of $500,000,000. Last week, Rep. Din-
gell introduced in the U. S. House of Representativies "A Bill
to provide for the extension of economic aid to Israel" (H.R.
57) which he worded as follows:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That
tbe Foreign Assistance Act of 1948, as amended, is amended by
adding at the end thereof the following new title:
"TITLE V"
"Sec. 501. This title may be cited as the Israel Aid Act of
1951'.
"Sec. 502. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the
people of the United States, on terms consonant with the in-
dependence of Israel and the security of the United States, to
-assist the people of Israel in establishing a sound economy, to
strengthen the ties of friendship between the people of the
United States and those of Israel, and to help to achieve the
basic objectives of the Charter of the United Nations.
"Sec. 503. The Administrator for Economic Cooperation is
authorized to furnish assistance to Israel in conformity with
(1) the provisions of this title, (2) the applicable provisions of
the Economic Cooperation Act of 1948, as amended, wherever
such provisions are consistent with the purposes of this title,
and (3) any agreements on aid hereafter entered into by the
United States and Israel. It is not the purpose of this title
that Israel, in order to receive aid hereunder, shall adhere to
a joint program for European recovery.
"Sec. 504. An agreement shall be entered into between
Israel and the United States containing those undertakings by
Israel which the Secretary of State, after consultation with the
Administrator, may deem necessary to carry out the purposes
of this title.
"Sec. 505. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated
to the President from time to time for aid to Israel such sums,
not to exceed $500,000,000 in the aggregate, as may be necessary
to carry out the purposes of this title.
"Sec. 506. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other
law, until such time as an appropriation shall be made pursuant
to section 505, the Reconstruction Finance Corporation it auth-
orized and directed to make advances not to exceed in the ag-
gregate $100,000,000 to carry out the purposes of this title, in
such manner, at such times, and in such amounts as the Ad-
ministrator shall request, and no interest shall be charged on
advances made by the Treasury to the Reconstruction Finance
Corporation in implementation of this section. The Reconstruc-
tion Finance Corporation shall be repaid without interest, for
advances made by it under this section, from funds made avail-
able for the purposes of this title."
In a supplemental statement to The Jewish News, Con-
gressman Dingell, whose friendship for the Zionist cause
and for Israel is gloriously recorded in Congressional an-
nals, declares:
"I feel that the world owes a modicum of assistance to
Israel and especially so since the ECA and the Marshall Plan
extend this assistance to other countries. This is not alone
the problem of Israel, for they have given refuge to the Jews.
It is our responsibility as we'll. I hope Congress will act
favorably on the measures, as by doing so, it will strengthen
not only the government of Israel but the possibilities of a
just and lasting peace in the Near. East."
Rep. Dingell has evaluated the issue properly. Israel is
the only sound democracy in the entire Middle East. By
helping Israel the United States will be helping the cause of
peace.
It- is encouraging to know that men like Rep. Dingell
are aware of the problems of Israel and the Middle East.
His constituents long ago have recognized the sincerity of
his efforts and have honored him with an inscription in the
Golden Book of the Jewish National Fund in Jerusalem. His
new pro-Israel bill adds glory to his record of service to the
Jewish people.
In "Jerusalem Calling," Pierre VanPaassen,
noted author who became a Unitarian minister
two years ago, is primarily a theologian. His
brilliant survey of international conditions and
of the forces which influence the world scene
today are intermingled in his evaluation of spir-
itual values in this new work, published by Dial
Press (461 4th Ave., N. Y. 16).
It is not an altogether Jewish book. A long
chapter, "Jesus in Jerusalem," places emphasis
on the Christian idea, on the emergence of
Christianity as a child of Judaism, and the
other chapters also have many elements of
primary interest to non-Jews.
But in the main this book treats the Jewish
subject, and directs barbs as challenges to those
who stand in the way of peace and good will.
When he speaks of the Zionist idea, which he
evaluates historically and ideologically, he does
not hesitate to attack the British anti-Zionists
who stood in the way of Jewish progress prior to
1948, and he exposes the Vatican's anti-Israel
position.
Thus, in his discussion of the issue revolving
around the UN debate over control of the Holy
Places in Jerusalem, Mr. VanPaassen shows how'
Israel has honored her obligations; how "the
propaganda guns for the Vatican let loose with
a new barrage of charges;" how "everywhere
prelates and the Catholic Action committees be-
gan to equate Zionism with Communism." He
warns that "the struggle of Rome against Israel
goes on."
The brilliant author. is emphatic in indicating
that "the establishment of the state of Israel is
the Jewish people's answer to history;" that the
Church taught myths about Jews remaining
vagabonds until the end of time.
Mr. VanPaassen expects a great deal from
Israel. "A prophetic people will live in the Land
of Israel! . . • The history of the Jewish people
is the history of the human race
. The Jewish
people in Israel have regained the road
The
suffering of Israel speeds the dawn of the mes-
sianic era!"
His comments are realistic, as indicated by
the following interspersions in Scriptural quota-
tions:
And they shall beat their swords into plow. ,
shares
(And they shall build their tanks into
reaper-binders)
And their spears into pruning hooks
(And atomic energy shall be used to cure -
cancer) .. .
Nation shall not lift up sword against na-
tion,
(Nor send bombing planes to blow little
children to hell)
Neither shall they learn war any more!
On the score of Christian beliefs that Israel
is "the missing link in the history of dogmas,"
Mr. VanPaassen states: "Evidently, when Israel
is now visibly being restored without having en-
tered the Church, and when the Israel of today
is less likely to enter the Church than at any
time before, the theological speculators are
thrown into confusion and perplexity." "Jeru-
salem Calling" adds to the perplexity of those
who had stalled justice in its tracks.
Mr. VanPaassen's analysis of Prophetic
teachings and of the Hebrew Prophets bril-
liantly illuminates his entire work. This is a
most significant element in his enlightening
book.
"Jerusalem Calling" ends with a call for
"peace to all men." It is powerful in its entirety
and its strength must be felt by careful and
complete reading. A brief review can not do
justice to the efforts of the brilliant author
turned theologian.
(Mr. VanPaassen will discuss his book,
"Jerusalem Calling," at a public meeting
of the Zionist Organization of Detroit, on
Feb. 5).
`The Dreidel Who Wouldn't Spin'!.
Story Good Even After Hanukah
"The Dreidel Who Wouldn't Spin," the charm-
ing little book by Libby M. Klapperman, with im-
pressive pictures by Laszlo Matulay, should have
been made available by the publishers, Behrman
House, 1261 Broadway, New York 1, some time
before Hanukah. It would have had the excel-
lent sale it deserves.
But even after Hanukah, this .little book
should have wide circulation. It is the type of
thrilling story that will hold the interest of the
young reader and will offer excellent material for
parents and teachers in presenting the Hanukah
story to the little ones.
Mrs. Klaperman has created an adventure in
this new book. The Dreidel is made the hero.
Around it revolves the Hanukah story, the latkes,
the Menorah, the kiddush cup. Then, by means
of song, the miracle happens. The Hanukah
spirit is enkindled. The top dances. Joy rules,
and the spirit of the holiday is recaptured.
Well told, splendidly illustrated, this book .
deserves a top place among children's books. The
publishers are to be commended for including
it in the new seriee of picture books for children.