Digest of World Press Opinion

The New Judea, official organ of the World Zionist Executive in London, explains why the Jews will never accept the proposed Legislative Council in Palestine. The paper declares in its October issue:

An attempt is sometimes made to alloy the fears entertained by Jewry as to the effect of the proposed Legislative Council on the National Home by the assurance that whatever body may be set up it would not amount to very much— would not, in fact, be much more than a debating society. If, however such is to be the character of the proposed Council—if it is to be deprived of real power—what useful purpose can it serve other than that of a platform for recrimination and denunciation? It would not be a Legislative Council, but a Council of mutual misunderstandings with the evil consequences of airing these misunderstandings.

The Government, it is argued, is under an obligation to take some steps towards introducing self-government. But there is surely no time limit to this obligation. In any case, a body whose function is to be so limited in scope and whose powers are to be restricted, can hardly be characterized as a “self-governing” institution. If again, its scope is to be widened, and its powers less limited, then such a body would under present conditions come into immediate conflict with the very foundation of the Palestine Constituttion—the Palestine Mandate.

From whatever angle the plan is considered, the proposal at the present stage is premature, disagreeable to all parties, and damaging to the welfare of the country.

‘ARYAN’ GERMANY THROUGH IRISH EYES

The Irish Times, daily newspaper appearing in Dublin, comments on the anti-Jewish propaganda in Germany. In an editorial entitled “Nordic and Jew” the Irish paper writes:

Although officially the great campaign against the Jews in Germany has ceased, there is no abatement of the widespread propaganda against all non-Aryans. The popularity of the anti-Jewish movement is illustrated by the extravagant praise that is being lavished on a young playwright named Eberhardt Wolfgang Moeller, whose play, “Rothschild Won at Waterloo,” is running to packed houses in many parts of Germany.

Herr Moeller, who is regarded as the Nordic “hope” of German drama, may, or may not, be a good playwright. The thing that matters is that he inveighs against the Jews, thereby assuring satisfactory box-office receipts, and obtaining for himself a safe place among the heroes of the present-day theatre.

The play, which is causing such a furore, deals with the ancient legend that the House of Rothschild founded its fortunes as a result of the Battle of Waterloo. . . It is an old story, the accuracy of which may be doubted; but the Nazi playwright makes the most of his chances to expose the cunning rapacity of the Jew. Herr Moeller conveniently ignores the existence of Nordic capitalists, attributing all the vices of usury to the wretched Jews.

The vogue of his play in Germany bodes ill for the cause of sanity in that country; but one must not be surprised at anything that happens in a land that tries to eliminate the Hebrew influence from the Christian religion.

THE EXCLUSION OF YEMENITES FROM ADEN

The Jewish Tribune of Bombay, a monthly Zionist publication, comments as follows upon the recent order of the authorities in Aden prohibiting the Yemenite Jews to enter Aden:

The order passed recently, suspending temporarily the influx of Yemenites into Aden, cannot be said to be without reason behind it. As a matter of fact, the Jews of Yemen have gone mad in their migration to Palestine via Aden. Without contemplation or prearrangement, they would simply abandon their native place and throw their whole weight about paying least consideration to their provision or equipment. Such things, said the Medical Officer of Health in my hearing, are a nuisance to the public and obnoxious from the sanitary point of view. Hence the passing of the order at the instance of the gentleman just mentioned. Of course, persons who could be accommodated in suitable residences are not barred from the right of entering the country on application.

It is really generous of the Authorities that they have limited the restrictions to certain parts only, whereas permission is allowed for persons to stay at Shaik Othman, an outskirt of Aden, where the population is less crowded. These are now living in a building provided by the Head of the Jewish Community, and they are being supported as frequently as possible. At that point, the health of the migrants is better maintained, as climatic conditions and accommodation are more favorable than elsewhere.

FLOWERS ON CALVARY— A PALESTINE RACKET

The Catholic weekly, America, appearing in New York, carries in its recent issue the following editorial:

Some weeks ago we commented on a Palestine firm which was sending to the United States Christmas and Easter cards decorated with flowers “grown on Mount Calvary.” Our note attracted the attention of a member of our diplomatic service in Europe, who had formerly been attached in Jerusalem. He informs us that this firm, which calls itself “The Sisters Kaplan,” and which is in reality run by a man named Cohen, has for many years given a lot of concern to our authorities. He also advises us to warn our readers. It seems that prosecution of the firm on the charge of misusing the mails cannot be pushed, since such practices are not contrary to the laws in Palestine. Hence he considers that it will shortly be flooding the mails again, as it has in the past, broadcasting its cards to everyone, “from the President down.” It seems at first that the sympathies of recipients of the cards were traded upon, on the ground that orphans made their living in this way by gathering the flowers and pasting them on cards.

Evidently the American consulate in Jerusalem has had its troubles: there were no orphans involved, and “everybody who has visited Jerusalem,” says our correspondent drily, “knows that there are as many flowers growing on Calvary as there are on Broadway and Forty-Second Street, the entire mount being occupied by churches and religious institutions.”