Gen. Hugh S. Johnson declared in his syndicated column in the World-Telegram today that there was no anti-Semitic intent in his radio speech on Monday over Station WOR which provoked sharp protests.
Gen. Johnson said he was “astounded” that part of the speech was considered anti-Semitic or that it was considered as implying that the Jews were warmongers. Stating the Jews had shown “extraordinary self-control in not urging any country to war upon Hitler,” he added that “as I search my soul and view my record I could not have meant that Jews desire to drag America into war.”
In an editorial today the World-Telegram emphasized that it had not been consulted on the speech and that Gen. Johnson’s utterances did not represent the editorial opinion of the newspaper.
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