Now-editorial Notes

Hitler proclaimed the Nazi millennium, predicting that Germany will not witness another revolution in a thousand years, and declaring that National Socialism is a reaction to “Jewish intellectualism.”

“National Socialism as a world philosophy is not only the expression of a political system and reform of the State, but also of a reshaping of personal, communal and cultural life,” he said at the Nuremberg Nazi gathering. And to explain the present cultural decline in Germany under the Nazis, the Fuehrer said: “The National Socialist State is thinking in long terms of history and could afford to wait for its creative impulses.”

He discussed cubism, futurism and the Aryan race theory, and declared that only a pure race can develop high art. After describing himself as the guar#lian and custodian of Germany’s art, he exclaimed: “Art will be determined by those who created the Third Reich.”

“Our next attack will demolish the opposition.”

Hitler’s boast that Nazism will last a thousand years is an unmistakable symptom of his dementia. His discourse on art and culture is an insult to all the intellectuals who still remain in Germany and who are still proud of the past cultural achievements of the German people. His threat to demolish his opposition, the people who dared to say “No” during the recent “plebiscite,” reveals to the whole world more clearly than ever before the hypocrisy and brutality of the present leaders of the German people. The farcical election by secret ballot was merely intended as a trap for the opponents of Hitler’s reign of terror.

The Nazi Genghis Khan, with the pseudo-scientists inventing spurious race theories, with the aid of the radio and the telegraph disseminating the poisonous fabrications of his propaganda machine, is arming his hordes for the destruction of civilization. History knows no parallel to this monstrous attempt, which is doomed to failure, but which is so tragic while it lasts.

THE S. O. S. APPEAL

Rabbi Jonah B. Wise has addressed a letter to members of the National Council of the Joint Distribution Committee on the eve of Rosh Hashonah, in which he writes:

“I wish I could assure you that conditions are such that our efforts in behalf of Jews in Germany, those who are exiled from Germany, and the great masses of our distressed brethren in Eastern Europe, could be relaxed. Such, however, is not the case.

“While all the men and women connected with the United Jewish Appeal have worked zealously for the cause, we find that the needs we are trying to meet are far greater than any means we have for meeting them.

“In the past few weeks, returning travelers, competent to observe and comment, as well as our own representatives on the ground in Europe, have brought us stories of suffering and sorrow which makes it difficult for us to approach the New Year without the greatest feeling of concern for the present and future of untold thousands of our people.”

The Jews of America, the most prosperous portion of the Jewish people, even during these years of depression, have joined their efforts in behalf of our stricken brethren abroad, through the United Jewish Appeal. There is no disagreement in American Jewry regarding the need for relief to be extended to our unfortunate people in Europe who are suffering privation and want as never before. A vast portion of Polish Jewry is starving. A large number of German Jewish refugees, scattered in various lands, are stranded, unable to find employment, unable to find sufficient food and adequate shelter for themselves and their families. The funds that have been raised in this country have been distributed and are still being distributed, but they are insufficient to meet the great and immediate needs. The response to the United Jewish Appeal has thus far proved apathetic. The Jews of America have given proportionately far less than the Jews of England have contributed toward the German Jewish refuge relief fund. The conscience of American Jewry has not yet expressed itself in terms of generosity in accordance with the unparalleled tragedy that has befallen German Jewry and with the ever-increasing economic ruin of Polish Jewry.

During the coming Holy Days the Jews of America should make a demonstration of generosity in their response to the appeals in behalf of the victims of Hitler who are homeless and hopeless unless we provide this shelter and unless we give them new hope. The victims of Hitler must be saved now. The refugees must be cared for without delay. They must be provided with food and clothing and homes. If we fail in fulfilling this obligation to our people, the noblest trait of Jewry will become discredited. Our enemies, who are united and who are working energetically, will gather new strength from our failure to help our people at this crucial moment.

For the sake of our self-preservation, for the sake of our self-respect, we cannot afford to leave unanswered the S. O. S. call of the United Jewish Appeal which represents all elements of American Jewry, and which is directed to the heart of American Israel.