International Congress of Women Protests Against Anti-semitism

That Henry Ford is largely responsible for the anti-Semitic movement in most of the European countries, and particularly in Switzerland, was the statement made today by Madamoiselle Marguerite Gobart, delegate from Switzerland to the Fourth International Congress of the Women’s International League for Peace, which has been in session here since April 30th, with delegates representing thirty countries.

In describing this movement Mlle. Gobart stated that, for example, in Switzerland some papers and periodicals are entirely directed against the Jews, and even the daily press publishes all sorts of provocative articles. Anti-Semitism was growing even in Ireland, stated Mlle. Gobart.

“We can trace the stages in the prosecution of the Jewish race,” stated Mlle. Gobart, who is a non-Jewess. “At the beginning it was the difference in religion, then it was a difference in race which made them hated, and now the movement has come into the economic sphere and today anti-Semitism is a form of the war for economic supremacy, started by industrialism and capitalism.

“I consider it the duty of the Women’s International League for Peace to protest against anti-Semitism, and to try to work against this form of war.”

Mlle. Gobart was vigorously applauded and was followed by other speakers on the same subject. Mme. Yella Hertzka, a Jewish delegate from Austria, and Mme. Augusta Kirchoff, a non-Jewess from Germany, described conditions in their respective countries. The only delegate who was able to make an encouraging statement was Mme. Audree Jouve of France, who declared that in France there is no nationalistic feeling against the Jews.

At the conclusion of the discussion, Miss Jane Addams, President of the League and Chairman of the Congress, announced that the question of anti-Semitism should receive the attention of the entire world organization, and instructed the Secretary to send

out questionaires on the subject. It is also understood that the International office at Geneva will initiate steps against anti-Semitism in all its branches.

A resolution was then passed by the Congress urging the League of Nations to create a special standing commission for the protection of minorities, to be composed of delegates from the Assembly of the League. Considerable attention was given to the question of minorities during the sessions.

Among the outstanding women attending the Congress were a number of Jewesses, including Rosika Schwimmer of Hungarya Mella Hertzka of Austria, Dr. Aletta Jacobs and Lotte Heller of Holland and Gertrude Baer of Germany.