German-jewish Vereins to Announce Stand on German Day Sunday

The Federation of German Jewish Societies, meeting at the Central Synagogue, Tuesday night decided to announce their stand on Sunday with regard to the German Jewish attitude toward the projected celebration of German Day on December 6 in Madison Square Garden.

The pronouncement, which, if unfavorable, is expected to presage a series of protests against the celebration, will be made by Robert Rosenbaum, president of the Federation of German Jewish Societies, in an address before the memorial celebration of the Deutsche Israelitischer Landwher Verein und Damenbund meeting in the McKinley Temple, Sunday afternoon.

“We are making no decision on the support the German Jewish vereins will lend to the German Day celebration until the Steuben Society, which is sponsoring the plans for German Day, announces definitely who will speak and what the decorations will be,” Mr. Rosenbaum explained to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “We shall await further developments before taking a definite stand.”

Inquiries among other members of the federation, however, indicated that the sentiment of the organization will definitely oppose the German Day celebration should the swastika banner be displayed at the affair. In accordance with a resolution adopted by the federation a few weeks ago, no member of the German Jewish vereins will take part in an affair at which the swastika constitutes part of the decorations.

DEFINITE PLANS FOR FETE

Definite plans for the celebration were to be made public by the Steuben Society last night. The body was to meet at Teutonia Hall with representatives of other German organizations, whose cooperation was asked to make the affair a success. It is understood that although some friction exists between the Steuben Society and other factions of the German-American Conference, few difficulties will be put in the way of that organization in its effort to muster a united German front for the celebration.

While President Roosevelt and high American Army and Navy officials have been invited to address the German Day celebrants, interest is concentrated upon the acceptance or rejection of the bid extended to Dr. Hans Luther, German ambassador to the United States. It has been announced that in accordance with the custom of many decades, the ambassador would make mandatory the display of the swastika banner.

“According to Hitler’s autobiography, the swastika is the symbol of anti-Semitism,” one leader of German Jewish women’s organizations said Tuesday night. “We Jews would not be welcome in Germany in places where the swastika is displayed. In America we should not care to celebrate under the swastika.”

Practically every German Jewish verein in New York was represented at the meeting, which was held behind closed doors. Reporters were not admitted.

SOFT-PEDAL ISSUES

In final discussions undertaken by various Brooklyn German-American vereins, according to the reports of attendants at the meetings, efforts have been made to keep political and religious issues out of plans for cooperation with the Steuben Society in making a success of the celebration at Madison Square Garden as well as to insure success for a similar demonstration to be held on Sunday in the Brooklyn Labor Lyceum.

An appeal was made before a meeting of the United German Societies of Brooklyn by Theodor Schmidt, chairman of the meeting, for the soft pedaling of all political and religious issues incumbent on the celebration of German Day.

While most of the meeting was concerned with the Brooklyn festival the specter of the Madison Square Garden continually crept into discussions. It is understood that Brooklyn vereins are seeking the support of Manhattan groups for their celebration, with promise of reciprocal support having been made for the Madison Square Garden affair.