Commendation of Louis Marshall’s policy of moderation with regard to the Roumanian problem is voiced by the “Jewish Morning Journal” in commenting on the discussion which developed at the annual meeting of the United Roumanian Jews of America.
Jacob Fishman, managing editor and prominent in the councils of the Zionist movement in America, in commenting upon the discussion observes: “The differences of opinion between Jewish leaders in America as to what is to be our attitude to the Roumanian government, that is, how best to protest against the pogroms and to secure guarantees for the future, have resounded at the convention of the Roumanian Jews.
“This shows clearly that there are two sides to the question and that it is impossible to settle the matter by merely declaring again that Louis Marshall is a “Shtadlan,” a pleader of the old school. Even when conceded that Mr. Marshall is a pleader of the old school, this does not preclude the fact that he had given better direction this time than other Jewish leaders, since the situation is indeed a different one.
“After all, it is impossible to lay down an axiom which goes to say that all that Mr. Marshall does or says is wrong. In the case of Roumania, Mr. Marshall was right in our opinion when he advised not to exaggerate with hysterics. The spectacle of how every Jewish ward politician threw himself on the pogroms, seeking to make political capital of the events, was not altogether pleasant. This is indeed more unpleasant than the conservatism advised by Mr. Marshall.
“We were glad to observe that the tone of Dr. Wise’s address at the convention of Roumanian Jews was in its large part calm. However, he heckled Mr. Marshall and the American Jewish Committee when he remarked that Roumania cannot be led to the road of justice in her treatment of the Jews by breakfast and lunch conferences. This is indeed no more than a ‘Kibbitz’
“We beg leave to recall that the American Jewish Congress, on another occasion, when the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count Skrzynski, visited America, also had a conference with the Minister, notwithstanding the fact that the Jewish situation in Poland was then very sad indeed and that many Jews did not believe in the ‘agreement’ which Count Skrzynski had concluded with the Club of Jewish Deputies in the Polish Sejm. Finally, we would like to recall that if it is claimed that Mr. Marshall has no mandate from the Jews in Roumania to speak in their behalf, it may equally be claimed that the American Jewish Congress has no such mandate either.
“At the conference on Jewish Right in Zurich under the auspices of the American Jewish Congress, the Roumanian Jews were not represented by delegates or otherwise. When one added to that the statement of Dr. Filderman made recently in London, that it is not desirable to exaggerate with protest meetings, one can readily see that at all events it is preferable to be a little more cautious and calm.
“We welcome the wish expressed at the convention of Roumanian Jews that unity be established among the Jewish leaders in the policy concerning Roumania. This unity can be created when personalities will for a moment be forgotten and when the American Jewish Committee and the American Jewish Congress will postpone for some other time their permanant dispute as to who is more authorized to speak in the name of American Jews,” the paper writes.
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