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 not indicate approval-Editor.]

The decision of mayor Kendrick of Philadelphia not to permit the Klan to hold a parade at the Sesqui-Centennial Exposition, is praised in the Jewish press.

“Mayor Kendrick,” says the “Day” (June 24) has rendered a real service in this matter to the American people.”

The “Jewish Morning Journal” feels that the barring of the Klan will be welcomed by the vast majority of public opinion in America, which, the paper avers, “is opposed to the Klan.”

To the “Jewish Daily News” the decision of Philadelphia’s mayor indicates that America is “beginning to be ashamed” of the Klan, and this is a sure sign, the paper argues, that the Klan’s power and prestige are on the fast decline.

A different opinion on the subject is entertained by the New York “World” (June 24.) Since the Sesqui-Centennial stands in a general way for the whole panorama of American history, the Klan should be included, the paper contends, saying:

“Now, it is true that the Klan is almost forgotten these days, but there was a time, four or five years ago, when it occupied a conspicuous place in our public affairs. The Klan is as much a part of our history as the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and thus is entitled to a place on the program. Since it is such an interesting relic of the past, we believe it should be speedily placed on exhibition.”

SAYS PALESTINE JEWS DO NOT NEED A JEWISH LEGION

That the Jews in Palestine can muster, in case of emergency, an army of 30,000 trained fighters and therefore there is no need for a special Jewish legion, as demanded by some is the assertion made by the Palestine correspondent of the “Day.”

Giving a description of the forces for police and defense purposes in Palestine, the correspondent writes (“Day,” June 23): “It must be added that besides the official forces there is another force which, though not official, is nevertheless strong and sure. England is aware of this force and she relies upon it. This force are the Jews. This is not a mere phrase. Wherever there are Jews, Jewish colonies, towns, in Palestine there is no fear of attacks, massacres or ‘pogroms.’ The Jews in Palestine desire to live in peace with their neighbors, and certainly there is no danger of an attack on anyone by Jews. But they are nevertheless splendidly organized; they are not like the Jews in the golus, who offer no resistance. The Arabs know this full well; they know that the Jews have a self-defense, Haganah Hatzmith, and if such an unfortunate idea as an attack or pogrom against the Jews should ever occur to the Arabs, we would not wait for England to ‘defend’ us. Within 24 hours there would arise in Tel-Aviv, Petach Tikvah, Rishon L’Zion and the other Jewish colonies in Judea, as well as in the settlements of the Emek Jezreel and in Jerusalem, Haifa, etc., a well trained army of 30,000 Jewish fighters, who are ready to look death calmly in the face. The Arabs are aware of this and they have respect for the strong man. Hence there is no danger of trouble in Palestine.”

In substantiation of this the correspondent points out that while five years ago it was dangerous to travel in the Emek Jezreel even during the day, owing to the activities of bandits, today, with the establishment of a number of Jewish colonies in that region, it is perfectly safe for a person to travel alone even at night.

As regards the border defense garrison which was recently reorganized so that it is composed largely of Arabs, the correspondent says: “The entire garrison consists of 350 men, including some 30 Jews. This garrison is stationed at the distant borders and the entire technical control is in the hands of the British (there are several large aeroplane corps consisting of Englishmen only !) and Jews. It is absurd to talk of an ‘attack’ against the Jewish towns and colonies by this insignificant border garrison. It can be made harmless “lterally in one hour”