A check for purchase of additional war planes was turned over the French War Ministry today by the Federation of Jewish Societies on behalf of foreign-born Jews in France. The check was accepted by the Chief of Staff of the War Ministry, who expressed the Government’s thanks to a delegation from the Federation and declared that the Government greatly appreciated the readiness of Jewish aliens in France to participate in the defense of the country.
The Federation, which embraces about 100 organizations of immigrant Jews, will continue its campaign for further aviation funds. Meanwhile, it issued a statement expressing confidence that should war be imposed on France, the foreign Jews “will without hesitation put themselves at the disposal of the country.”
Warning against political discussions in the streets, the Federation statement continues: “At the present hour, when the fate of the world hangs in the balance, we are remaining faithful to our tradition and our striving for peace from the depths of our hearts. We are happy to emphasize the effort at present being made by the French people to save the peace of the world. Danger is knocking at the door. If it comes from that country where hatred has become a basic principle and where everything is being scarified to brutal force; should human conscience in this dictatorial country vanish at the last moment and should France which has given shelter to us–together with other democratic countries be forced to resolve on arms in order to defend herself and others against injustice and brutality should all this happen, we are absolutely certain that the immigrant Jews will voluntarily put themselves at the disposal of their country in order to defend France against her enemies in the same way as our brethren did in 1914.”
Newspapers today reported large Jewish contributions pouring in on the various defense funds being collected throughout France.
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.
