Brundage Issues Pamphlet in Defense of Olympics Participation

A pamphlet defending American participation in the Berlin Olympic games and denouncing the movement for withdrawal was issued today by Avery Brundage, chairman of the American Olympic Committee and president of the American Olympic Association, after authorization by a mail poll of the committee’s 62 members.

The pamphlet, entitled “Fair Play for American Athletes,” declares, “Full courtesy and hospitality in Germany are assured to Olympic athletes and visitors, no matter what race, creed or color.” It divides the agitation against the Olympics into three groups: (1) Those attempting to use the games for their own ends, (2) The sincere persons who have acted without hearing both sides of the controversy and (3) Those identified with athletics who have succumbed to pressure by the first group.

Changing the scene of the games is held “impractical.” It is pointed out that the games were awarded to Berlin, not to Germany, and Mr. Brundage declares participation could not be regarded as endorsement of Nazism. He goes back to George Washington for an exhortation against meddling in foreign affairs.

Mr. Brundage warns that if the United States does not compete, it may be disciplined for violation of the International Olympic Code.

In a paragraph headed “Jewish Opinion,” Mr. Brundage says, “Many leaders of the faith believe much harm to the Jewish race has been done by this agitation, which in some instances has attempted to use the Jews for ulterior purposes. Jewry suffers from the radicalism and self-seeking of a few in its ranks who put personal advantages before the welfare of the race.” No names of the “many leaders” are given.

Among the other arguments Mr. Brundage advances are:

The American team will be selected without regard to race and Jews will be eligible.

The chairman of the Berlin organizing committee is of Jewish descent.

It is too late to change the venue of the games. “They will be held in Berlin in 1936 or not at all.”