The London conference for the relief of German Jews was significant in its potentialities rather than in accomplishments, said James Waterman Wise, editor of the monthly magazine, Opinion, on his return on the French liner Champlain, after having represented the American Jewish Congress at the London conference.
“The problem was placed squarely before world Jewry,” said Mr. Wise. “The conference, if it was not to have been held in vain, must be followed by constructive action.
“It is significant, because it is the first time that the so-called powerful Jewish organizations of Europe and the United States have taken common counsel with the representatives of the Jewish masses.
“One of the most important insights gained in London was the need of a powerful, effective world Jewish Congress. A Congress which would dare to deal with the issues such as the whole complex of political questions, which the London conference could not or would not consider.
“If the London conference will have served as a training ground for preparing Jewish leadership to meet with and come to understand and respect the opinion of the Jewish masses, it will have proven well worth while,” said Mr. Wise.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
