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Reich Purge of Jews Not Cause for War by U.s., Montana Congressman Tells House

May 4, 1939
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Representative J. Thorkelson (Rep.,Montana) declared on the floor of the House today that “the so-called Hebrew purge in Germany is not a cause for war by the United States.” He asserted that Jews in the Reich were better off than many Americans.

“I am firmly convinced that Hebrews with German citizenship prefer to remain in Germany,” he declared, holding that the United States “should not meddle in German affairs nor in the disposition of her citizens.”

“It is quite possible that Hebrews:in the United States owning property in Germany acquired during inflation are being pinched now because of the manner in which they came into possession of their holdings,” Mr. Thorkelson said. He charged that in Washington more than half of commercial business and real estate were now owned and controlled “by the same group now agitating for liberal immigration from Europe. They play a sympathetic -I tune on the public’s heart strings, so the door to immigration is left open.”

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