The unquà lified assertion that recent disturbances in Palestine were not due to anti-Semitic feelings on the part of turbulent Arabs was made by Ralph D. Blumenfeld, chairman of the board of directors of the London Daily Express and for thirty years its editor, who is now on a speaking tour throughout the nation.
Mr. Blumenfeld’s itinerary, sponsored by the Leigh W. Colston Agency, includes twelve cities in the United States and Canada.
In an interview Mr. Blumenfeld, who arrived here last week on the S.S. Majestic, said he believes that Arab leaders in Palestine are chiefly responsible for the awakening of violent passions on the part of Arabs.
He expressed the firm belief that aroused world opinion, and particularly public opinion in England, is forcing a slow but unmistakable change in Hitler’s anti-Jewish policies. This eventually will disappear, Mr. Blumenfeld said, and the Jewish problem will be eased, if not solved.
The former editor of the London Daily Express announced his intention of visiting Palestine this coming January. He has never been there, he said, although at the present time he is financially interested in several business organizations, among them the Palestine Printing Company. The purpose of the visit, Mr. Blumenfeld said, will be to establish on a firmer basis the printing—firm which will probably consolidate with other printing companies in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa.
Asked about the possibility of further complications in world affairs as a result of the recent German plebiscite, the noted editor echoed the sentiments he has expressed in frequent contributions to American periodicals, including The Jewish Daily Bulletin, that war is a remote and vague possibility. He insisted that the worldwide fear of the possibility of another international conflict is a “chimera”, and was “manufactured by journalism”.
Speaking of the American-Russian rapprochement, Mr. Blumenfeld said with conviction that the “Niagara of gold” which is expected to “come pouring into the United States” will “be a great disappointment.” The Soviet will benefit more from American recognition that this country, he said.
Mr. Blumenfeld will speak at Town Hall on Dec. 16. His subject will be “The Destiny of the English Speaking People.”
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.
