Now Editorial Notes

A DIGNIFIED and forceful protest against the German Government was issued yesterday by the American Committee on Religious Rights and Minorities. The review of the religious and racial persecutions during the year of the Hitler regime is calm and restrained. The facts are understated. Nevertheless the picture presented by this representative and distinguished group of Americans is one that cannot fail to arouse a profound sense of indignation against the shocking wrongs perpetrated upon innocent people by the German Government.

The most effective and telling passage in the Committee’s statement is this:

“It is a lamentable fact that the present policy of the German government in relation to the Jews has thrown American and British public opinion back toward the distrust of fifteen years ago. The effect upon international friendship is calamitous. No nation in the modern world can afford to alienate the confidence and goodwill of the civilized world as Germany is now alienating them.”

And the Committee adds that it cannot admit that the anti-Jewish persecution in Germany is “a purely domestic matter” which is not the concern of people in other lands.

The protest is also directed against the persecution of the Christian churches that are not servile to the Nazi regime.

Hitlerism may have united the discontented and disillusioned German people under its banner, but it has succeeded in losing whatever sympathy Germany regained in other lands after the war. Hitler has isolated Germany. The progressive people in every land abhor and fear the spread of Naziphobia, for while Hitlerism has attained disgraceful isolation in the eyes of the decent elements of the world, it is making strenuous efforts to disseminate its poisonous creed of hate in other lands, through the medium of mercenary and shady organizations and individuals. But German propaganda has always distinguished itself for its clumsiness and impudence, and it will in the end help to discredit Hitlerism even more than it is discredited today.

THE IRONY OF IT

NORMAN THOMAS, Socialist candidate for the Presidency of the United States, led a parade in protest against Macy’s buying and selling German goods. It was an orderly and impressive demonstration against Hitlerism and against those who continue to have business relations with Nazi Germany.

Norman Thomas explained the purpose of the demonstration as follows:

“I hope the Socialist Party and others entertaining the purpose of restoring liberty and human rights to the German people will continue their demonstrations against Macy’s and other department stores handling German goods. Through enforcing the boycott of German merchandise we hope to attain fairness for the German working classes and an end to the persecution of the Jews.”

What bitter irony it is that it should be necessary for people like Norman Thomas to lead a demonstration in order to impress Jewish department store owners with their duty to their persecuted and humiliated brethren in Hitler’s Germany today!