Digest of Public Opinion on Jewish Matters

[The purpose of the Digest is informative. Preference is given to papers not generally accessible to our readers. Quotation does not indicate approval.-Editor.]

Those Jewish students in American universities who were denounced by Rabbi Stephen S. Wise for seeking to hide their racial origin are termed by the “Day” “American Maranos”. The paper, in its issue of yesterday, observes:

“Rabbi Wise says that many Jewish students are members of college fraternities where Jews are not wanted and that their membership can only be explained by the fact that they conceal their Jewish origin. Rabbi Wise is right. The number of Jewish students who choose to play the role of voluntary ‘maranos’ in non-Jewish college organizations is very large today and it is time for someone to point out to them that their behavior is undignified and traitorous.

“These young men believe that by denying their Jewishness they will be enabled to improve their careers by entering high society and making important connections. But they are mistaken. In the end Christian society refuses to be fooled and discovers the hypocrisy of those who come in under false pretenses. The punishment is swift and dire, for the world despises traitors and is quick to express its condemnation. When that happens, these ‘maranos’ come back to us and complain of anti-Semitism and race hatred; they repent and beg forgiveness and sympathy. Some of them even write sensational books, in the expectation that the Jews will buy them and enjoy reading them as a contribution to our culture.

“We do not need ‘maranos’ in this country. They have no sufficient cause to separate themselves from us, nor have we any reason to take them to our bosom when they return. If there is any discrimination in America we can combat it in an open and dignified manner. Those who are eager to leave our fold rather than struggle and suffer along with the rest of us, had better go and remain away,” the paper declares.

KENTUCKY PAPER DENOUNCES FORD

Comment on the Sapiro-Ford libel suit is contained in a lengthy editorial devoted to the subject by the Lexington (Ky.) “Herald” of March 27, wherein we read, in part:

“The case is highly important in view of the fact that it involves the libel law. While nothing is more precious in a land governed by democratic ideals than freedom of speech and the independence of the press, it is as important that this freedom be protected against the abuse of irresponsible and unjust attacks as that it be protected inviolate and unshackled.

“Much resentment has been caused by Mr. Ford’s attacks upon the Jews. Everywhere in America there is hor.or and respect for the race which has ornamented with its achievements the history of mankind since Abraham left Ur of the Chaldces following a vision of Canaan and cherishing the hope that in future days a tribe as numberless as the stars that shone above the plain of Mamre should inhabit the earth and call him father.

“The presence of Jim Reed, long one of the most vociferous advocates of tolerance and scourgers of bigotry, as chief counsel for Henry Ford is one of the strange features in this legal battle upon which the attention of America centers.