Capital Comment

Washington.

Tense political conditions in many countries throughout the world still keep the United States from making any representations to foreign governments on behalf of persecuted or oppressed minorities. This was indicated when Secretary of State Hull, in a letter to Senator Key Pittman, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, strongly opposed the Borah resolution for a Senatorial inquiry into alleged religious persecution in Mexico.

Although the contents of Secretary Hull’s letter were not revealed, it was definitely stated that the State Department does not favor the investigation. In spite of this opposition, Senator Borah intends to press for action.

It is generally known that the State Department regards the Mexican situation as an “internal affair.” On previous occasions, the United States government has protested similar internal oppression of minorities in other countries. Therefore, the stand taken by Secretary Hull in opposing action against Mexico has behind it major implications.

The current situation in many countries of the world is very conducive to persecution and oppression of minority groups. It probably is the feeling of State Department officials that if any action is taken on behalf of a persecuted group in one country, there will be no end to requests for similar action on behalf of oppressed minorities in other countries.

At the present time there are at least two resolutions in the hands of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs which request that the government protest the treatment of Jews in Germany. More than a half dozen other resolutions in both the Senate and House seek governmental protests on behalf of persecuted Catholics in Mexico.

If the State Department had looked with favor on the Borah resolution, then it surely would have had to render a favorable report on the resolution requesting action on behalf of Jews in Germany. In view of the opposition to the Borah resolution, action on similar requests is not expected to meet with favor under present conditions.

Washington officials in scanning over business reports from all parts of the world have come to the conclusion that there is at least one spot on the face of the globe where business is good. This is in Palestine—the land of milk and honey.

Since Jewish enterprise initiated a determined effort to rebuild the land, Palestine has been up and coming the field of business activity. In the last two years this has been stimulated through increased immigration and the import of capital.

The other day the commercial intelligence division of the United States Department of Commerce received a report from one of its representatives in Palestine which presents a comprehensive picture of business conditions there. This report points out that credits and collections in Palestine have “never been more satisfactory than at present.”

Cash deposits in volume are in various banks waiting for forms of investment, the report reveals. This money, however, is not itself being invested in merchandise or, if it was brought into the country in the form of merchandise—as often in the case of capital coming from Germany—it is not being similarly reinvested. It is having its effect, nevertheless, for much of it is going into the purchase of land and, inasmuch as seventy per cent of the Arab wealth is said to be in land, there is more liquid capital in Arab hands than has been the case for some years.

Another effect of the presence in Palestine of these large sums of money has been a great increase in the number of small banks established, the report shows. There may be considerable danger in this development of excessive banking facilities. But the report states that collections and credits “have profited greatly by the plethora of banking facilities available in the country.”

Obligations of importers and merchants are being met promptly as a result of current financial conditions. There is a considerable increase in the number of drafts as compared to former years. The Department of Commerce report points out that “so long as immigration and the import of capital continue unabated, the credit and collection situation should remain satisfactory” in Palestine.

George Washington’s birthday comes on February 22 and preparations are being made throughout the country to observe the day. And is Representative Sol Bloom of New York having his headaches He is getting mail addressed to George Washington.

All of this is right down Representative Bloom’s alley. He knows more about George Washington than most folks here. And possibly more than Washington knew about himself. All of this is because Representative Bloom headed a Congressional commission a couple of years ago which studied the life and deeds of the Father of Our Country and published volumes on the findings. Also, it was Representative Bloom who obtained the consent of Congress to make available for school use busts and photographs of George Washington.

So when the Post Office Department received three postcards the other day addressed to “George Washington, Washington, D. C.,” ach requesting literature pertaining to “the George Washington Bicentennial Commission,” the boys in the post office did their duty. The cards were referred to Representative Bloom who sent the matter requested.

Representative Charles Kramer of California, a member of the House committee which has just completed its investigation of un-American activities, believes that Congress should take immediate action to curb Nazi, Silver Shirt, Communistic and other subversive movements in the United States.

He says that Congress should enact legislation to prevent the formation of any organization advocating the overthrow of the government. Also, that radical organizations should be prohibited by law from drilling anyone in the use of firearms or from using any flag other than the Stars and Stripes. Several bills seeking such legislation have already been introduced in the House.