THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20. 1951
Fog .1 av6H CoNTINunY
Member American Association of English-Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association, National Editorial Assoets.
lion. Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17515 W. Nine Mlle, Suite 865, Southfield, Mich. 48075.
Second-Claes Postage Paid at Southfield, Michigan and Additional Mailing Offices. Subscription
a year. Foreign MI
is
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor end Publisher
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Business Manager
CHARLOTTE DUBIN
City Editor
Candle Lighting, Dec. 15, 4:43 p.m.
Page Four
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Advertising h4
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 11th day of Tevet, 5733, the following scriptural selections
will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Gen. 44:1847:27. Prophetical portion, Ezekiel 37:15-28.
VOL. LXII. No. 14
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DREW LIEBERWITZ
December 15, 1572
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Biltmore Conference: I nerasable Record
Anniversaries have the great merit of re-
taining recollections of important events that
have marked historic experiences. Dec. 16 is
such a date on our calendar. It needs recon-
structing so that the chronicles of Jewish
events of the past 30 years should perpetu-
ate the memory of that significant date.
It was on Dec. 16, 1942, that firm asser-
tions for Jewish statehood were uttered at the
sessions that became known as the Biltmore
Conference. The name stems from the New
York hotel where the meetings were held.
But the decisions were of such great signifi-
cance that the records of Jewish planning
that took place there, in that tragic year of
Nazi rule in Europe, remain inerasable in
the records of the Jewish people.
Jewish spokesmen, the representatives of
the Zionist movement were confronted by
the tragedies of the Second World War at that
conference in New York in 1942 when they
resolved:
"The new world order that will follow
victory cannot be established on founda-
tions of peace, justice and equality unless
the problem of Jewish homelessness is
finally solved. The conference urges:
"That the gates of Palestine be
opened to Jewish immigration;
"That the Jewish Agency be vested
with control of immigration into Pales-
tine and with the necessary authority for
upbuilding the country, including the de-
velopment of Its unoccupied and unculti-
vated lands;
This historic declaration is discussed in-
terestingly by David Ben-Gurion in his "Is-
rael: A Personal History." In 1942, it was most
revolutionary—in a time when the realiza-
tion of Jewish statehood was viewed with
skepticism. Except for one left-wing youth
group, the Biltmore Program was a unani-
mous Zionist decision. Yet, because it de-
manded a Jewish Commonwealth, it met with
much uncertainty, and only the most deter-
mined Zionists stuck to its total aspiration.
But it became a reality in every respect—
thanks to the stubbornness and determination
of men like Ben-Gurion, and because of the
tragedy that confronted Jewry and demand-
ed the most radical solution which, in the
emergence of Israel, became fulfillment of
dream as well as prophecy.
What has emerged is more than a com-
monwealth but a full-fledged state. The Bilt-
more Program was proof that where there is
a will, dream can be turned into reality. Its
being marked concurrently with the observ-
ance of Israel's 25th anniversary of statehood,
the 30th year after the adoption of the Bilt-
more Program becomes an event not to be
forgotten and to be linked with the most his-
toric events. These are recalled while honor-
ing the fulfillment of the prophetic hopes of
the Jewish people represented by the reality
of Jewish statehood in Israel.
This is a summary that goes to the very
root of a shocking attitude that disproves all
Russian sanctimonious claims that Russia's
official position opposes anti-Semitism. Such
regulations may still be on the books, but
they are not in the hearts of the Kremlin
leaders whose actions are, as Terrazini
charges, those of fools and knaves. The corn-
missars seem to be unable to realize how
much the USSR could benefit from friend-
ship with Israel and how much good will
could be restored by the abandonment of
anti-Jewish prejudices. And they fail to real-
ize that adherence to anti-Jewish policies
merely perpetuates the worst in Czarism.
Perhaps the criticisms of Communists in
other lands will cause the Soviet leaders to
alter their policies. But such criticisms have
been heard from Communists the world over
in the past, and they were of no avail. Will
Terrazini be more successful in arousing
Communist humanitarianism in the USSR?
Murderers Become Heroes in Middle East
From Libya stems much of the threaten-
ing comfort that is being given to terrorism
and to murderous plots in the Middle East.
It was, reportedly, in Libya that the plot on
the life of King Hussein of Jordan was
hatched. It was in Libya that Arab murderers
who disrupted the peace of the Olympic
Games in Munich were hailed as heroes.
But it is not Libya alone. The London
Sunday Express recently reported from Cairo
that the four Black September murderers of
Jordan's Prime Minister Wasfi Tal are liv-
ing in a house provided for them by the
to
"That Palestine be established as a
Jewish Commonwealth Integrated into
the structure of the new democratic
world."
'Fools and Knaves' as Fomenters of Anti-Semitism
In an interview published in the Rome
newspaper La Stampa, the Italian Communist
leader, Senator Umberto Terrazini, made seri-
ous charges against Soviet Russian leaders,
accusing them of fostering anti-Semitic lit-
erature and failure to prevent The spread of
anti-Jewish feelings.
Tracing the Russian prejudices to Czarist
times, charging the Russian Communists with
inheriting that spirit and pointing to the re-
vival of anti-Semitism under Stalin, Terrazini
stated:
"At the end of the Stalin era, anti-
Semitism receded again, and we assumed
for good. But, to our great disappoint.
ment, it is again on the increase. The
Israeli victory in the Six-Day War created
a new wave of anti-Semitism in the Soviet
Union. Both the fools and the knaves, the
former unknowingly and the latter know-
ingly, proclaim anti-Semitism in the guise
of anti-Zionism and anti-Israelism."
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Egyptian government in the fashionable Cairo
Duka district and that they are "holding
court and enjoying their notoriety." The
London Express also reports that these mur-
derers "have a car and can sometimes be seen
gambling at the casino in the Nile Hilton."
What hope is there for decency if mur-
derers are treated like heroes? 'This is how
murder becomes legitimate in the Middle
East. And it is against such odds that Israel
—and Jordan—must be on the lookout in the
battle for survival.
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Dreyfus Case Importantly
Researched by Prof. Chapman
Recognizing the vast amount of research that has gone into studies
of the events that marked the notorious L'Affaire Dreyfus, there will
be unquestioned acknowledgment of the additional data that is being
provided by Prof. Guy Chapman of Cambridge, England, in the newest
work on the subject, his "The Dreyfus Trials," published by Stein
and Day.
There are detailed accounts of the men and events that marked
the infamous anti-Semitic incidents and the trumped-up charges against
the Jewish captain in the French army. Many of the details about the
people who were involved are the result of new research. They appear
in new light, and the manner in which the accusers of Dreyfus and
those who forged documents to convict him emerge as having tried
to hide facts in order not to besmirch the army's record is presented
most convincingly, substantiated by facts.
The reader gets a new view of the character of Alfred Dreyfus,
who certainly was not a lovable character. The determination of his
brother Mathieu and the help given the defense provide added chap-
ters of unusual interest for students of that case and of historical
developments related to the charges against Dreyfus that for a time
threatened to become a Franco-Prussian feud.
It is noted in Prof. Chapman's historical account that Major Piquart,
who more than any other army man sacrificed his personal career to
defend Dreyfus—he possessed a sense of justice and would not tolerate
false accusations—was himself an anti-Semite. He refused to be civil
to Dreyfus after the latter's exoneration.
Yet, the author maintains that anti-Semitism was not extensive,
that it did not penetrate the masses.
The manner in which the trials were drawn oat, the Emile Zola
and Georges Clemenceau roles, as well as those of a score of other
important figures in the case, are dramatically portrayed in this im-
portant addendum to the literature on the Dreyfus Affair.
There is a great tribute to Joseph Reinach, the historian who con-
tributed immensely toward the freeing of Dreyfus. He is presented as
a non-Jew with great virtues who exerted much effort in behalf of a
wrongly accused person.
A reference to Dreyfus, as a
conclusion, upon his reinstatement
in the army, is especially interest-
ing in Prof. Chapman's book.
"Dreyfus," he wrote, "remained
what he had always been. a strict-
ly honorable soldier. He never lent
himself to political adventurers
. . After a short period in the
army, he resigned and went on
to the reserve. During the 1914-18
war, he was recalled to service
and commanded an ammunition
column with efficiency.
He died in 1935, a quiet old gen-
tleman. During his later years he
liked to play bridge. One evening,
his partner remarked that a cer-
tain X had been arrested for es-
pionage, and then, realizing the
tactlessness of his remark, added
that he did not suppose there was
anything in it.
Dreyfus, calmly dealing, re-
joined: `Oh, I don't know; after
all, there's never smoke without
fire.' " This anecdote is credited
in a footnote to Marcel Abraham
(189E1-1955), who was himself play-
ing at that table.
Prof. Chapman's "The Dreyfus
Trials" is an excellent addition to
an important chapter in world his-
tory, the case having stirred world
interest. Theodor Herzl having been
a correspondent at the first trial,
the case has gained greatest no-
toriety, retaining undying interest.
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