It is hopeless for the Jews to try to reach an understanding with the Nazi rulers of Germany because the Nazis would only consider such an attempt a confession of weakness, Lion Feuchtwanger, famous author and exile from the Third Reich, declared here today.
Addressing a luncheon rally of the women’s campaign for the fund for German Jews, held at the Savoy Hotel this afternoon, the noted writer, who declared that he had documentary evidence of the death at the hands of the Nazis or by suicide as a result of maltreatment, of 377 German Jews, asserted that the request of the German Jews that Jews abroad maintain silence must be ignored.
Jews must not remain silent, Feuchtwanger declared, emphasizing that they must not hesitate to take any action possible even though this course should result in a temporary increase in the hardships inflicted on the Jews in Germany.
“The Jews who have remained in Germany”, he declared, “unless they want to go mad, must close their eyes to what is happening around them and must persuade themselves that it is untrue that Jews are tortured, imprisoned and killed although they have seen it with their own eyes.
“The Jews of Germany today are not living in any sense of the word. At best, they are leading a wretched, apprehensive existence”, Mr. Feuchtwanger told the three hundred women present.
Those present at the luncheon paid fifty dollars each for admission and contributed $40,000 to the relief fund.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
