The administrative committee of the American Jewish Congress issued a plea to the public to support a mass meeting scheduled at Madison Square Garden March 7 when speakers will present “The Case of Civilization Against Hitlerism.” The American Federation of Labor is supporting the meeting.
“The rise of Hitlerism has reached a stage in the character of its attack where all the civilized world is called to defend its position,” the statement declared. “All groups, regardless of of how divergent their opinion, are the suffers of Hitlerism.
“The pressure of public opinion alone, its isolation of Hitlerism, can prevent the bloody sequenees which are almost certain to ensue.”
At the same time, the American Jewish Congress made public two communications received from W. A. Neilson, president of Smith College, and Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, famous woman leader, calling upon all groups to make the indictment of Hitlerism on March 7 formidable and incisive.
“I wish to assure you,” wrote Dr. Neilson, “of my symspathy with the protest you are making. While I am acutely distressed by the injustice and suffering inflicted on the various groups whose cases are being presented by your speakers, I am especially concerned with the attack on scholarship and science. It seems to me that Germany is being forced to intellectual and spiritual suicide, and in view of the magnificent leadership she has furnshed in the past, this catastrophe is the concern of the whole world.”
Mrs. Catt declared:
“To Jews the world around 1 extend my sincerest sympathy. It is my earnest hope that non-Jews, everywhere, will comprehend the significance of the stupendous problem created by the recent happenings in Germany. These things came so unexpectedly that they were received with a degree of mental stupefaction. It took time to bring one’s self to believe the proved accounts of German acts and still more time to recover from the shock the news produced. No later scrutiny of facts, no analysis of events has made understanding easy.
“Now, however, two things appear certain. The problem Germany has foisted upon th nations is everybody’s responsibility and Christians and Jews should apologize to each other for all misdeeds and mis-representations of which either is guilty and together, these two great forces should find a place where Jews may live under an assurance of protection and equal opportunity. Any attempted solution of the problem less than this is a challenge to the world’s intelligence.
“Any problem treated superficailly rises again and agian to make trouble. No problem is solved until it is solved right. The time to solve this one is now. The solution may prove the greatest and most effective step toward civilazation yet taken by the human race. Are the people of this nation courageous enough to join the undertaking ?”
PURIM FEATURES ISSUED
A revised publication containing new material and features for the observance of Puim Wednesday evening, February 28 and Thursday, March 1, has been issured by the National Jewish Welfare Board to its affiliated organizations Y. M. H. A. ‘s. Y. W. H. A.’s and Jewish Community Centers.
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