While Julius Hochfelder, counsel for the Jewish War Veterans, Friday declared he intends withdrawing his protest against the celebration of German Day on December 6 at Madison Square Garden, a note of resentment against the Steuben Society, sponsors of the affair, was sounded from other sources.
A member of the German-American Conference declared that the Steuben Society is playing into the hands of the League of Friends of New Germany, the most influential Nazi group in the United States.
“The Steuben Society,” he declared, “refuses to listen to the dictation of other German-American groups in laying plans for the celebration of German Day. We are at variance with the sponsors of the celebration on a number of issues, but we cannot make them known at present.”
JEWISH GROUPS TO CONFER
In the meantime, Robert Rosenbaum, president of the Federation of German-Jewish Societies, decided to call a meeting of his group, one of the 23 federations composing the German-American Conference, to determine the attitude to be taken toward the Steuben Society fete. Delegates of various German-Jewish vereins will assembly early this week to map out a course for action toward the proposed affair.
Responding to assertions by Mr. Rosenbaum, delegate of the Federation of German-Jewish Societies to the German-American Conference, that he was not invited to attend the last meeting of the conference at which that body’s support was offered the Steuben Society’s plans for a German Day celebration, Dr. Ludwig Oberndorf, secretary of the conference, informed the Jewish Daily Bulletin:
“Invitations to the meeting of the German-American Conference were sent to Mr. Rosenbaum as well as to Dr. Fritz Schlesinger and Rabbi Max Malina, former delegates of the United German Societies. It is true that Dr. Rosenbaum complained about not having received the invitation, but this was certainly not intended. It may be due to the fact that Mr. Rosenbaum moved lately to another home.”
NO JEWS UNDER SWASTIKA
In Many circles the attitude of the Jewish groups is forecast as being decidedly unfavorable to taking part in any celebration at which the swastika emblem is displayed. According to a decision reached some weeks ago by the German Jewish groups, no member will attend ceremonies at which the Hitler insignia is flown.
The asserted intention of the Steuben Society to invite German Ambassador Hans Luther as principal speaker at the celebration makes mandatory the display of the swastika. Unless he rejects the invitation, which is considered unlikely inasmuch as the German Ambassador traditionally has been the principal speaker at these annual affairs, commemorating the landing of the first Germans in the United States, there will be a direct conflict between the “Aryan” and Jewish German groups in New York.
CAREFUL SELECTION
Full plans for the celebration have not yet been announced by the Steuben Society. Considerable attention is being paid the program, which has been completed only to the extent of entertainment numbers. The selection of speakers, it is generally agreed, must be carefully made to avoid inspiring popular and governmental protest against turning the celebration into a medium of Nazi propaganda.
Mr. Hochfelder Friday asserted he had withdrawn his complaint
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