“chronicle” Approves Trouncing of David A. Brown; “exponent” Insists on Apology

The London “Jewish Chronicle” in its issue of November 4th, which has just reached this country, editorially approves the “trouncing” David A. Brown has received in the American Jewish press for his utterances on the situation of the Jews in Poland.

“The visit of Dr. Kahn to Poland and his report should serve as an effective antidote to the latest pronouncement of the egregious Mr. David A. Brown, who after a flying trip to that country, has declared that there is nothing to worry about,” declares the editorial.

“He gave an interview to the Polish Telegraphic Agency in which he said that he saw no ‘special misery’ among the Jews in Poland, and that the alarming reports in the Jewish press which were perturbing American Jewry presented a ‘false picture with regard to the position.’ It is comforting to know that Mr. David A. Brown is so solicitous that only the truth shall be told about the economic position of the Jews in Poland, with the pauperization in their midst that has grown apace during the last few years, and it is strange that he should have chosen an organ of the Polish Government as the medium of his communication. Mr. Brown got his information in the luxurious hotel in which he stayed, or from an official in a Government department, it is not surprising that he should display such ignorance. But his ignorance may prove mischievous, and he therefore deserves the trouncing that he has received in the American Jewish press,” the editorial concludes.

The Philadelphia “Jewish Exponent” insists editorially that Mr. Brown owes an apology to the Jews of Poland and that all else is irrelevant. The editorial declares:

“The controversy regarding the condition of Polish Jews provoked by the recent visit of David A. Brown to Poland has failed to shed new light on this subject. An editorial in the November number of “Opinion,” entitled, ‘Mr. Brown’s Polish Slumming Party,’ asserts that ‘Mr. Brown has departed from more or less harmless villification to infliction of grave hurt upon millions of Polish Jews.’ In this we concur. It matters little whether or not Mr. Brown handed a signed statement to the Polish Telegraphic Agency minimizing the plight of the Jewish people in that country, or whether he simply talked. The fact is that he did talk to newspaper men; and he is not a discreet talker. Whether he calls the newspapermen himself or has someone else call them for him is beside the question. The article from ‘The Haynt,’ by Dr. Gottlieb of Warsaw, which appeared in the ‘Jewish Exponent’ about a month ago and apparently precipitated this controversy, made this point quiet clear.

“To advise the Jews of America to read a journal which he recently acquired if they wish to know the views on the subject, is a form of exploitation exceeding the bounds of ordinary effrontery. The issue is clear: directly or indirectly whether through the medium of an official ‘release,’ or by idle talk, Mr. Brown has hurt the Jews of Poland. In this the Jewish press of Poland seems to be agreed this hurt will not be removed or ameliorated by asking the Jews of America to read his magazine. Clearly Mr. Brown owes an explanation and an apology to the Jews of Poland. All else is irrelevant.”