Daily Digest of Public Opinion on Jewish Matters

[The purpose of the Digest is informative: Preference is given to papers not generally accessible to our readers. Quotation does indicate approval.–Editor.]

A proposal that the Jewish press of America inaugurate an investigation regarding the controversy between the Zionists and the J. D. C. leaders in order to ascertain the truth concerning the charges and counter charges made by the two groups, is put forth editorially by the “Jewish Criterion” of Pittsburgh.

“We think,” the “Criterion” writes in its July 30 issue, “the time has arrived when the Jewish Press of this country should ask for an investigation. There have been charges and counter charges, that can do nothing else but weaken the causes in which all of us are interested. How much politics if any is there involved in the present situation on both sides? The Jewish press is expected to influence the thought and action of its readers, therefore it is entitled to know all the facts. If neccessary an independent commission should be appointed. If Mr. Brown has information in his possession such as he indicates in his letter to Mr. Neumann let’s have it. If the Zionists have information that definitely proves they have been treated unfairly or that there is anything in connection with the United Jewish Campaign that is open to criticism, we should know it. In any event the time has arrived when this exchange of ill-tempered letters should cease.”

ZANGWILL AND THE “MELTING POT”

The role of Zangwill’s “melting pot” idea in influencing public opinion in America on the racial and immigration questions, is discussed by the New York “Telegram,” which is an upholder of immigration restrictions.

“He added a phrase to the language which is as firmly entrenched there as ‘boycott’ or ‘gerrymander.’ Yet the ‘melting pot’ idea, while it affected the thought of a generation of benevolent assimilators, has new fallen into scientific disrepute,” the “Telegram” declares.

“It was a beautifully simple process –in theory. Tumble all sorts and conditions of human beings into a vat boil over a slow fire and the result would be something like a perfect race, with all the best qualities of each strain.

“The reaction came with the promulgation in an extreme form of the ‘Nordic theory,’ as set forth in Madison Grant’s ‘Passing of the Great Race,’ and the conversion of the United States Congress to the principle of selective immigration, based not on contemporary but earlier conditions.

“The new notion was that a hybrid race was undesirable because it tended to perpetuate not the best but the less good characteristics of those involved.

“The final conclusion seems to be that races must live side by side, but not mix, if they are to be most service able to the world and each other.”

An appraisal of Zangwill’s personality and his position in Jewish life is contained in the “Jewish Daily News.”

“Zangwill was unique,” we read interalia. “Karl Emil Franzos, Sachor-Masoch, and Kompertz were great Jewish writers, but the creator of ‘The Children of the Ghetto’ towered high above all of them. That was because he did not write from without nor from the elevation of a pedestal, but from within.

“An Israel Zangwill is not produced so easily. It will be a very, very long time before we shall see his like again. This present generation surely will not,” the paper concludes.

“It was one of the ironies of his (Zangwill’s) career.” avers the New York “Sun”, “that his dramas, while often the medium of expressing his sociological and racial views, met with greatest success when the dealt with lighter and more sentimental topics. It thus happened that none of his other stage works knew the widespread favor of ‘Merely Mary Ann.’ Other dramas were probably more important, but none was so well liked by such a large world.”

That Zangwill belonged essentially to the nineteenth century, is the opinion of the New York “Post,” which concludes its editorial with the following observation:

“Zangwill was ‘dated’ as of the nineteenth century. Even his most recent works were a voice from the time before the war. But he was respectably ‘dated,’ and as he passes he takes an enduring place as a literary figure who let his light shine before men with enthusiasm, earnestness and high moral purpose.”

Terming Zangwill “one of the great men of his great race,” the Chicago “Journal” of Aug. 3 writes:

“There was a coal of fire in his heart, and his ardor sometimes aroused antagonism, but no one ever could sincerely question his fealty to his people or his faithfulness to any cause in which he believed. And as an opponent he was not to be despised.”