Emphasizing that he has “never been able to understand racial differentiation or the arbitrariness which is based upon ethnological distinctions,” General Douglas MacArthur has accepted an invitation to join the American Hebrew Medal Award Committee, it was announced here today by Joseph H. Biben, editor and publisher of the American Hebrew.
The Committee selects yearly the American who has done most during the year in improving relationships between Christians and Jews and furthering good-will in America. Secretary of State Cordell Hull was awarded the American Hebrew Medal last year. The letter from Gen. MacArthur to Mr. Biben reads:
“I have just received your letter of May 4, inviting me to join the Committee of Award for the American Hebrew medal. I shall be glad to do so. Personally I have never been able to understand racial differentiation or the arbitrariness which is based upon ethnological distinctions. To me, a man’s character and his attainments seem so immeasurably more important than the incident of nativity that it is difficult to comprehend that any problem should really exist. If this concept were universal, the award of your medal would cease to have any real foundation. I pray that that day may arrive.”
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