“Mayor LaGuardia’s attitude toward the anti-Nazi boycott was pretty clearly defined in his speech last night in Madison Square Garden.”
This was a response from the Mayor’s office yesterday in reply to queries as to whether or not he would publicly denounce the boycott of German goods in accordance with the wishes of the Steuben Society to stem “the strengthening and broadening tide of race hate in this country.”
LaGuardia closed his speech at the Garden with the following remark, “and so I say that it is difficult for the American public to maintain friendly relations with any country where the citizens can not travel through it in safety.” He drew this conclusion after he castigated Hitler as “not being fit to have placed in his hands the peace of Europe.”
In a letter to the Mayor, delivered shortly before he became a witness at the “Case of Civilization Against Hitlerism” read Wednesday, the Steuben Society of America, which is numbered among the staunchest supporters of Hitlerism, demanded that the Mayor take action to discourage the boycott.
The appeal to the Mayor was contained in an open letter, which was later published in a German language daily, the New Yorker Staats-Zeitung. It was signed by Theodore Hoffmann, chairman of the national executive committee.
The letter, translated from the German, reads: “You were elected Mayor of our city in expectation–which so far has been fulfilled–of your giving the city an economical administration, of crushing corruption, of abolishing superflucus offices, and so far this has been done.”
It goes on to cite other reforms of the LaGuardia administration, and recognizes his efforts to wipe out chiselers by extending the area of his jurisdiction over ground heretofore not trod upon by his predecessors in office.
The document says that Steuben Society has taken notice of his public remarks upholding the boycott of German goods in this country. The society declares itself outraged by this action, which is contrary to the wishes of the President, who, it is said, seeks to maintain friendly trade relations with Germany.
“As your forces become successful, and as the other side expands–and this is the essence of our criticism–race will be pitted against race, not only in our city but elsewhere.
“Your fanatical followers do not indicate any limit to their activities, not at the point where they themselves refuse to buy German goods, certainly; on the contrary, they are refusing to have anything to do with any person who happens to have German blood in him.
“They make no discrimination as to the German offspring’s attitude toward the momentary administration in Germany, whether or not he handles goods originating in Germany, or whether he may have lived in this country the greater part of his life.
“It must be clear to all through these facts that things of this sort must eventually lead to mass opposition and that it will spread throughout the entire country, unless someone will seek a halt to it.
“Every true spirited American, who may also respect his parents, must exert his best efforts to stop the strengthening and broadening of this European outgrowth in our country.
“You must admit that you do not favor the boycott which strikes so severely at those of us who are German offspring.
“Since these facts have been brought to your knowledge, it lies with you as to whether through a public declaration, you will stem the tide of growing and broadening race hate, before it has attained uncontrollable proportions.”
“All the news concerning Jews” is faithfully and promptly reported in the Jewish Dally Bulletin–the only Jewish daily newspaper printed in English.
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.
