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.]

The decision of the Jewish Writers Club of New York to take active measures in the direction of helping the Jewish land settlement work in Russia, is commended by the “Day” in its June 5 issue.

The decision of the Jewish Writers Club, made in response to an appeal from Jewish writers in Russia, is termed “a correct, timely action” and the paper states further:

“The Jewish writers in Soviet Russia have declared that the whole Jewish life in that country is being reconstructed on new, fruitful foundations. We knew that before. The largest, most important part of the Jewish press, and many Jewish writers individually, placed themselves in service of the great work.

“But it is not enough. Even more has to be done, and the Jewish writers of America have decided not only to continue, but to renew with an added tempo and zest the activities among the Jewish masses here for the fruitful realization of the wonderful opportunity which is offered to Russian Jewry today.

“The Jewish writers are eager to add their energy and the influence of their word, to put their hand to the task of bringing to full fruition this historically-important work. The Jewish writers will rouse the Jewish masses to continued energetic relief activity.”

SAYS NEW YORK’S ACHIEVEMENT IN THE U.J.C. SHOWS JEWS ENJOY “DRIVES”

“To raise more than $6,000,000 for relief in Europe is a magnificent achievement for New York City,” declares the “Jewish Times” of Baltimore, in its May 28 issue.

“There is no doubt,” the paper proceeds, “that New York’s success will be the motive force which will develop an equally marvelous response throughout the country to the tragic cry for help that comes from millions of stricken Jews.

“New York was supposed to be ‘fed up’ on drives. There seems to be some color of truth to the statement of Dr. Goldsmith at the Social Service Conference last week, that people enjoy drives and ‘being driven.’ He spoke of the ‘exhilaration of the drive, the thrill of distant appeal, the compensation of ministering to suffering or help achievement for away.’ The history of Jewish philanthropy in America shows that all that is necessary is for Jews to understand a cause, and the response is unquestioned and immediate.”

HEBREW PAPER OBJECTS TO APOLOGIES FOR PETLURA

Severe criticism of those Jews who are trying to clear Petlura of the guilt of the pogroms that took place under his regime in the Ukraine, is voiced in the New York Hebrew paper “Hadoar” in an article by Menachem Ribaloff.

“He (Petlura) was a shrewd fellow,” we read. “He acted with calculation and deliberate knowledge. When he understood that pogroms against Jews were not practical, he gave the command, and there were no pogroms. When he found it expedient he received a Jewish delegation to whom he promised many things. On the strength of his democratic past and by his ‘liberal’ speeches, through various shrewd tactics he fooled us and many were led to believe that he was indeed innocent.

“Others have endeavored to convince us that he was not guilty. Because of these Jewish ministers in his cabinet there are and will be heard here and there apoligies for Petlura, but this is a national shame. The Jews did not and will not forget the era of blood and now is the time to open again the book of recollections and to reveal to the entire world what happened to us during those terrible days in the Ukraine.

“Schwartzbard publicly sanctified the name of Israel. He now has placed before the tribunal not himself but all the pogrom perpetrators wherever they may be. It is we who are the accusers.”

THE NATIONAL FARM SCHOOL SHOWS THE WAY

The effort of the National Farm School, which held its conference in New York last week, to develop the movement from the city back to the soil on a nationwide scale, is discussed editorially by the “American Hebrew,” which observes, in its June 4 number:

“Up to the present the National Farm School has devoted itself chiefly to educating Jewish lads who possessed the agricultural urge. Under the inspiration of Mr. Erlanger, who is the National Chairman of the School, a broader, a truly national field, is to be opened. It is hoped that as a result of the conference the interchange of ideas among representative educators and agricultural experts will tend to promote the ideal of the School on national lines. At present, the National Farm School is the only institution of its kind that offers to young men, who have neither the means nor educational requirements for pursuing agricultural courses in State schools, an intensive three years’ course of twelve months a year in practical and scientific farming without charge for tuition or board. The nation requires, and should maintain many such schools.”

URGE CATHOLIC-JEWISH-NEGRO COUNTER ACTION AGAINST KLAN

An arraignment of the Klan from the Jewish Catholic and Negro points of view is contained in the June-July-August number of the “North American Review.”

The warning to the Klansmen that they are “playing with fire which may burst into a conflagration that will consume them,” is made by Rabbi Joseph Silverman, who predicts that–

“They (the K.K.K.) may unwittingly create the very things they fear. Their opposition to Catholics, Jews, Negroes, non-religious citizens and aliens in general may create a combination for self defense which does not now exist.”

That the Catholics, Jews, Negroes and all liberal elements in the country ought in fact to proceed to create such a combination, is the conviction of Dr. W. E. Burkhardt Du Bois, noted writer and leader of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, who contributes an article from the Negro standpoint.

“It does not make any difference what the Ku Klux Klan is fighting for or against,” Dr. Du Bois says. “Its method is wrong and dangerous and uncivilized, and those who oppose it, whether they be its victims like the Jews, Catholics, and Negroes, or those who are lauded as its moral sponsors like the white Southerners, the American Legion and the ‘Anglo-Saxons,’ it is the duty of all these people to join together in solemn phalanx against the method which is an eternal menace to human culture.”

While Martin J. Scott, writing for the Catholics, believes with Dr. Silverman and Dr. Du Bois, that the Klan continues to be a great menace, Prof. William Starr Myers, of Princeton, takes a somewhat different view.

“It is true,” he remarks, “that the Klan still has its devotees and exerts its strength in certain localities, but all fear of its power has vanished except with regard to politics where, by skilful use of propaganda and prejudice, it is able to throw its weight for or against the candidate of either of the two major parties and thus can exert an influence far greater in proportion than its actual numbers otherwise would warrant.”

THE STRAUSES

The career of the Straus family is dwelt upon editorially by the Orlando (Fla.) “Sentinel.” which comments on the late Oscar Straus.

“The United States has recruited many statesmen from those who decended from the ‘loins of Judah.’ The Straus family was not only great in brains,” the “Sentinel” states, “but great in patriotism and philanthropy. Nathan became one of the Nation’s most noted business men, and Oscar added the legal profession to his life’s career and became a great lawyer.

“Obtaining wealth, they were ever alert in giving alms to America, and relieving distress when found, Nathan for years being recognized as this country’s greatest philanthropist. Oscar was great in many ways and his charity was not on such a large scale, but great just the same considering his lesser wealth.”