American Jewish Conference Welcomes Roosevelt Warning to Nazis

The American Jewish Conference today hailed President Roosevelt’s warning to the Nazis and his appeal for assistance for Jews in Hungary, in a statement issued by Dr. Stephen S. Wise of New York, Henry Monsky of Omaha and Dr. Israel Goldstein of New York, co-chairman of the Interim Committee of the Conference. The statement read.

“The occupation of the Balkan countries by the Nazis constitutes a turning point in the epochal task of rescuing Jews threatened with extermination at Nazi hands and the American Jewish Conference welcomes with a deep sense of gratitude President Roosevelt’s recognition of the great danger and his prompt action.

“The President’s warning that all persons who share the guilt for crimes against the refugees shall share the punishment will be effective to deter the Nazi hangmen. His appeal to the population within Germany itself to hide Jews from their executioners and to assist them in escaping and his appeal to countries to open their doors to Jewish refugees are heartening assurance of a determination to carry out heroic measures which must be taken if the rescue work of the War Refugee Board is to be effective.

“The situation imposes a responsibility on all Jewish agencies to unite and we appeal to all Jewish organizations, including those not affiliated with the Conference to meet the challenge created by the Nazi invasion of the Balkans and to unite on a common program of action to assist and co-operate with the War Refugee Board.”