Now Editorial Notes

The German Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Hans Luther, Was irritated in St. Louis by the protests made to Mayor Bernard Dickmann in connection with the Ambassador’s visit to that cit, and by the Mayor’s statement that he had sufficient confidence in the people of St. Louis to feel certain that Dr. Luther’s visit would not result in conversions to Hitlerism.

Mayor Dickman also said: “I did not invite Dr. Luther. I only agreed to receive him and extend City Hall courtesies. But my statement that Dr. Luther will find here such a spirit of tolerance that through him we may appeal to the German government to correct the injustices which today disturb all right-thinking people was attributed as offensive to Dr. Luther”.

The Mayor of St. Louis, of German descent, is a thorough American, though still refaining a sympathetic interest for the land of his forefathers. And because of this sympathetic interest in Germany, he feels pained as an American by the injustices committed under the Nazi regime.

The German Ambassador, invited to participate in the Saengerfest, which had been founded in St. Louis by the Mayor’s father, came to St. Louis but found no time to attend the reception at the City Hall. Dr. Luther said the Mayor’s statement was “very political” and added:

“I am here to do homage to those who love the spirit of Germany and the songs of Germany. If people wish to protest, I cannot help it.

The republican representative of the Nazi regime has committed the unpardonable mistake of placing himself in a position of being snubbed and of snubbing the head of the municipal administration of a great American city.

If Dr. Luther had fulfilled his obligations as Ambassador more cautiously and wisely, he would not have found himself in this most embarrassing position.

THE DOLLFUSS ASSURANCES

A Dollfuss organ, the Weltblatt, of Vienna, contained a vicious anti-Semitic attack in its report of a large anti-Jewish meeting held in Vienna. One of the speakers at that meeting is quoted as appealing to government cooperation in achieving “a celebration of liberation from the Jews, similar to the celebration of liberation from the Turks.” At that meeting the speaker also demanded a strict numerus clausus for Jews in every walk of life and an inquiry into the citizenship rights of all East European naturalized Jews.

The fact that such attacks are permitted at meetings and in the Dollfuss organ, when a rigorous censorship prevails, had naturally caused alarm among the Jews of Austria. As we analyzed the Dollfuss constitution on a previous occasion, it is so phrased that the Austrian government can give it any interpretation it desires.

Despite all the assurances given by the Dollfuss government to the effect that it will practice no discrimination against the Jews, the situation of Austrian Jewry remains critical, Resisting Hitlerism outwardly, the Dollfuss government is nevertheless allowing Nazi-directed anti-Semitism in Austria

A WORTHY TESTIMONIAL

On June 10 a testimonial performance will be given in honor of Bertha Kalich at the Forty-fourth Street Theatre. The testimonial is sponsored by a number of the most distinguished people interested in the American and Jewish theatres and in the contributions made by Mme. Kalieh to dramatic art during the past thirty Years.

Mme. Kalich for many years has been recognized as the foremost Jewish actress and as one of the greatest artists on the American stage. She has given masterful interpretations of the works of Jacob Gordin, Ibsen, Maeterlinck, Sudermann and many other great dramatists.

Throughout her career, Mme Kalich has contributed her talent in aid of numerous Jewish philanthropic undertakings. She has given benefit performances for the Hadassah, for relief work, for all sorts of charitable affairs.

Mime. Kalich is now suffering from a serious eye affliction which has interrupted her career at its very height. The testimonial benefit performance next Sunday, in which many of her famous colleagues will participate, deserves to be a huge success. Mme. Kalich has richly earned the gratitude and appreciation of all who are genuinely interested in Jewish artists and the elevation of the stage.