Theodore Hoffmann, “silver tongued orator of the Steuben Society,” principal speaker at the Nazified German Day Celebration last December, arch-enemy of the anti-Nazi boycott, and fiery protestant against Mayor LaGuardia’s participation in the recently presented “Case of Civilization Against Hitlerism,” refuses to deny or confirm reports that he is partly Jewish.
Hoffmann yesterday refused to be interviewed in regard to the policies of the Steuben Society, of which he is president. Furthermore, he refused to state over the telephone whether or not allegations made by a member of the Steuben Society concerning his Jewish ancestry are true.
“Send me a photostat copy of the letter,” Hoffmann demanded, when informed that a written communication from one who signed herself, “a disgusted female member of the Steuben Society” alleged he was of Jewish blood.
“The Steuben Society,” bellowed the silver tongued orator, “is not anti-Jewish, but we don’t believe in the boycott of German goods.”
Coaxing and cajoling failed to break down the iron-willed resistance of Hoffmann. Positively, he would not consent to an interview. Absolutely, he would not respond to the question, “Are you or are you not partly Jewish?” He would make no comment on the allegation that he is partly Jewish until a photostat copy of the letter was delivered into his hands, “and then,” he said, “I won’t tell you anything.”
IS HOFFMANN PARTLY JEWISH?
In reference to a letter signed by Hoffmann and addressed to Mayor LaGuardia in which the Steubenite protested against the “Case of Civilization Against Hitlerism” as a means of “stirring up increasing race hate” and demanding that the Mayor shall not presume on his powers to appear at the Garden demonstration, another letter, received by this paper, follows:
“I have just read your paper with the letter written by Theodore Hoffmann, head of the Steuben Society of America, 369 Lexington avenue, in which he complains bitterly about LaGuardia’s speech in Madison Square Garden.
“Now, I divulge a deep secret to you. This Hoffmann is the son of a Jewish mother and consequently tries to be more German than real ‘Aryans.’ Interview this gentleman.
“The fact of his descent is known to many members of the Steuben Society, and I do not think he will deny the truth of this letter, which you are at liberty to show him.”
The Steuben Society last fall snatched the swastika banner from the hands of the falling German American Societies, traditional sponsors of German Day, whose plans for the 1933 celebration had been suspended by the Mayor because of Nazi influence.
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