Digest of World Press Opinion

A special corresponent of the London Daily Express analyzes Hitler’s Jew-baiting policy and comments as follows:

Leadership is not monopolized by men with deep powers of thought. It often falls to fanatics, men of lopsided mental development, men who are deeply deluded and can deeply delude others. Hitler is a fanatic, not a thinker. He has remained a Jew-baiter.

Whenever I find him hailed as a statesman I remember his actions against the Jews. I once described how, when he cries to a great audience, “Perish Jewry!” the whole force of his mind and voice is in the cry. The ferocity of the pogrom is in this horrible incitement.

Germans of the poorer classes have suffered almost unendurably since the war. Here is one who tells them with the utmost conviction that there is a simple and easily dealt with cause of all their troubles. Do you wonder the poor creatures prefer this simple creed to the compromise of higher politics? Or, at least, prefer it for a time?

Let me remind you of one of Hitler’s platform devices. He will stand silent for a few moments; then, gazing into space, slowly raise his hand and ask of somebody at the back, in an angry, sonorous voice, “You — poor, half-starved workman—who has robbed you of your all?”

Thereupon a prearranged cry will come, “The Jews,” and the audience will take up the cry and thunder it forth.

ORIGIN OF SCHEME FOR ZION COUNCIL

The Manchester Guardian, commenting on the Legislative Council in Palestine, establishment of which is now reported postponed, states:

The project that is now being considered goes back to one that was proposed twelve years ago. The original scheme was based upon Article 2 of the mandate, which provides that “the Mandatory shall be responsible for placing the country under such political, administrative, and economic conditions as will secure the establishment of the Jewish national home … and the development of self-governing institutions.” It was as a self-governing institution that the Legislative Council was offered to the people of Palestine twelve years ago, and as such it will presumably be offered to them again. The first attempt proved abortive owing to the refusal of the Arab population as a whole to take part in the elections, which were held in the spring of 1923. Only the Jewish population cooperated.

After the lapse of twelve years the attitude of the Arabs and the Jews to the creation of a Legislative Council is now reversed. It is understood that the Arabs are for the most part in favor of it, whilst the Jews have declared their determined opposition.

The reason why the Jews oppose the Legislative Council is that they consider the functioning of such a body, with whatever safeguards may be provided, is incompatible with the principles underlying the establishment of the Jewish National Home. They maintain that their

National Home is only in its initial growth, and that, since the mandate provides for its establishment in fulfilment of the national aspirations of the Jewish people and formally recognizes their historic connection with Palestine, it is only reasonable to demand that there should be a much larger representation of the Jewish people in Palestine before such a fundamental constitutional change is introduced.

THE LEAGUE AND IRAQ’S POLICY

The Jewish Tribune of Bombay, speaking of anti-Jewish measures taken by the government of Iraq, relates the following:

This attitude of the Irak government is not only confined to the Jewish press. It is also reported that Jews are being ousted from government service. Twenty Jewish officials in high government positions have been dismissed peremptorily. These measures naturally give cause for anxiety for the safety of the Jews in the country, who number over 100,000. That the position is grave no one will deny.

The next question that comes to our mind is where such steps are going to lead to. It is imperative that the fangs of this dangerous poison must be checked otherwise the situation will go out of control. Iraq is a member of the League of Nations and the protective provisions of the Minorities Treaties apply equally to her. The question must be taken up in the right quarters if more serious consequences are to be averted.

SAAR PLEDGES HELD INSUFFICIENT

The New York World-Telegram commenting on the Franco-German agreement over the Saar says editorially:

More important are the political clauses. Germany promises full guarantees against persecution or reprisal of the entire Saar population, regardless of race, religion or political beliefs. There is a time limit to this, however, believed to be only one year.

This limited guarantee does not dispose of the most explosive element in the Saar situation. If Hitler at the end of a brief period rules the Saar as ruthlessly as Germany it will continue as a danger spot in Europe. And if Hitler is sincere in his persecution of racial minorities, political liberals and laborites in Germany, doubtless he will be tempted to extend that terror to the Saar in the name of Nazi kultur.

The Saar problem is essentially the same as the larger German problem. There is not apt to be a lasting and peaceful solution of either under a Nazi dictatorship.

JEWS THANK PERSIA FOR RESTORING TOMB

Israel’s Messenger, a publication of Shanghai, reports that the small colony of Jews of Persian origin residing in China addressed to the Persian consul in Shanghai the following letter of thanks for the restoration of the tomb of Queen Esther in Hamadan:

Dear Sir:—The Persian Jewish community of China prays to God to grant long life to His Imperial Majesty Pahlavi, and thanks the Minister of Public Education for his decision to reconstruct the Tomb of Esther and to erect a monument thereon. This decision, coming as it does at the present time, stands as a shining example to the rest of the civilized world. It stands beautiful in contrast with some dark corners in this world where freedom and liberty are draped with the black cloth of hatred and prejudice.

From the immemorial, Persia had been the friend of the Jews. King Cyrus helped the Jews to rebuild their Holy Temple and to restore their kingdom on the soil of the Holy Land. Therefore the present decision of the Minister of Public Education, by order of His Majesty, revives memories of old and stirs in our hearts the deepest emotions of love and gratitude to Persia, to her Emperor and his Ministers.