Capital Comment

Washington.

Despite the long distance from the scenes of actual diplomatic bickering, Washington has once more become the center of interest of the world capitals. Diplomats are asking the question: What will America do in case of another conflagration. Ambassadors and ministers representing the principal European countries have been bombarded with cablegrams from their governments asking them what is America’s policy in the present European crisis.

The dignified foreign representatives are at a loss for an answer. They know only too well that whatever they may say today in regard to this country’s position may prove to be wrong tomorrow. Every bit of information they can get hold of is undergoing careful study in the offices of diplomatic representatives of foreign countries. Positive information cannot be obtained from the State Department or any other official source. The foreign diplomats would like to know if America again will come to the aid of the allies in case of another war.

President Roosevelt, it has become clear, is playing a clever game to the great disappointment of the information hungry foreigners, he still talks, officially, about the prospects of a general disarmament conference. The thing that stumps the diplomats is that they don’t know whether he is thinking about a disarmament conference in the near future or after the next war.

The German Embassy in Washington is quite confident that the United States will not take part in any European conflict. Thus, Ambassador Luther is quite happy. He knows definitely that this government strongly resents Germany’s rearmament move, but does not expect more than a word of protest in the form of a note which, by the way, may or may not be sent by the United States.

With various forces playing upon prejudices in an effort to disintegrate the ties which unite the people of this country into a body seeking common goals of liberty, peace and justice, it has become increasingly evident that the time has come when there is need for greater adherance to the basic principles of relig on if the great moral forces necessary to govern human behavior are not to be destroyed.

This is an observation resulting from the convention of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, which for the first time in more than forty years met at the nation’s capital to discuss the problems of American Jewry. With striking effect, the speakers at the convention, which was attended by more than 1,500 Jews from all over the country, stressed the needs for the upbuilding of the religious side of American life.

In strong contrast with the part that some representatives of the synagogue and church have played in political affairs, was the emphasis placed on the thought that the synagogue and the church must guard against anything or any action savoring of politics. The synagogue, it was pointed out, is not organized for political or economic action. It does not have the knack or the order from its members for that kind of program. The synagogue is organized to foster the spirit of religion and is not set up to tinker in the repairs of other parts of the human mechanism.

Past experience in the nations of Europe has demonstrated that the union of church and state always has brought its woes upon both the state and the church. Not only does the temporal power gained by such a union make the church arrogant but it saddles bigotry upon the government. During periods of economic and social unrest, it becomes quite easy for religious leaders to carry on a crusade which arouses popular support but for which there is no sound economic basis. In this crusading, there is the constant danger of pitting group against group and religion against religion either through intention or through inference. There lies the real danger in American life today when religious leaders such as Father Coughlin preach their theories of economic and social reform.

The future of religion in American life—particularly insofar as Judaism is concerned—is entirely up to the people themselves. But, without aggressive and sound leadership, the future of religion may be beclouded by the dogmatism which knows no quarter in dealing with minority groups. The Rt. Rev. James E. Freeman, Bishop of Washington, one of the convention speakers, struck an important note when he said, “The time has come to challenge the people of this land to restore the family altar. Religion must be brought into the counting room and the factory. The moral and religious forces, fifty-five million strong, must stand together to resist Communism, Nazi-ism, Fascism and all the other isms that would destroy this country.”

Meyer Jacobstein, newspaper publisher of Rochester, N. Y., and a former Democratic representative from New York, revisited old haunts and friends at the Capitol during the last week. Of particular interest to the former representative, is the fate of the NAR, of which he was one of the original sponsors in March, 1933, as a member of a select group which was headed by Senator Wagner of New York. During his congressional days, the Rochester publisher was known as one of the economic brains of the House.

The works of Maimonides constitute an important part of the books and manuscripts contained in the Semitic Division of the Library of Congress. At the present time the Library of Congress is sharing in the octocentennial celebration of his birth. The books and manuscripts which Dr. Herbert Putnam, librarian, and Dr. Israel Schapiro, chief of the Semitic Division, have selected for exhibition in connection with the celebration, are fascinating in themselves and are attracting large public interest.

Dr. Schapiro is a student of Maimonides and has done considerable writing about the life and work of this great Jewish scholar of the middle ages. Maimonides was, indeed, a universal character. A native of Cordova, Spain, he spent his better years at Cairo serving as physician to Saladin and as leader of the Jewry of Egypt, pursuing researches in the sacred writings of his own people, mathematics and astronomy, and corresponding with scholars and common folk throughout the world as it was then known. The Library of Congress exhibit, according to Dr. Schapiro, contains a collection which is quite representative of Maimonides works.

When Hitler said he wanted a navy only to keep the Baltic safe for the Nazis, American sailor men perked up their ears to listen. Now they are wondering if Hitler has something else in mind. Germany has several hundred thousand German “colonists” settled in Brazil. Would not Germany like to bring these people closer to the fatherland in the development of the “Greater Germany” of which the Nazis are dreaming?

The story is told of the time when Germany, during Kaiser days, wanted to participate with other European countries in a debt-collecting expedition in Venezuela. Theodore Roosevelt, who then was president, dissuaded these powers from embarking on the venture by mobilizing the United States fleet in the Carribean with Admiral Dewey in command.

Representative Samuel Dickstein of New York, is laying low these days in reporting out of his committee immigration bills which seek to correct some of the ills of existing laws. Representative Thomas Blanton of Texas, continues to be on the lookout for a “Dickstein bill” and is everready to sound its death knell. The Texan has a grudge against the New Yorker and does not try to hide it. Blanton is for complete restriction of immigration while Diekstein is for the development of a sane immigration policy.

Representative Blanton is receiving considerable support in his efforts to bar immigration. Much of this support is founded on the fear of well-meaning, but possibly misguided organizations and individuals, that subversive forces are uniting for immediate overthrow of the government. Therefore, it is argued, the United States should close its doors to all newcomers and the country should get rid of all persons who are not citizens.

The most recent blast to Congress came from the Benevolent and Protective Association of Elks. This organization requested legislation to curb “un-American activities” and “eradicate” subversive movements. Under this organization’s proposal, such groups as Socialists and Communists would be declared illegal and their existence would be prohibited in this country. The Department of Justice would be empowered to investigate subversive movements. Any individual who spoke or wrote in favor of a change in government, or who belong to an organization which favored such a change, would be charged with a felony, and mails would be closed to any newspapers or publications containing material which advocated or encouraged any change in government by force or violence. Aliens engaged in such activity would be thrown in jail and deported immediately. The citizenship of a person who favored a change in government by force or violence would be revoked. To carry out the request of the Elks organization, Representative R. A. Green of Florida, has introduced a bill on which he is seeking action.