Opponents of World Jewish Congress Target of Attack

The controversy over the holding of a World Jewish Congress was featured today by a sharp attack made by the American Jewish Congress on the view that the world parley might lead to a pan-Arabic congress and disclosure that 28 Zionist and non-Zionist leaders have signed a petition urging proponents of the congress to reconsider their decision.

The American Jewish Congress also made public a statement from Lion Feuchtwanger, the author, endorsing the congress on the ground that “if the Jewish people do not wish to be hopelessly atomized, they must create a legitimate representative body which shall be recognized by the world.”

A release from the American Jewish Congress quoted its weekly Bulletin as challenging a letter from Dr. Cyrus Adler, to American rabbis marked “private and not for publication.” The Bulletin contended that convocation of an Arab congress depends not on any Jewish action but on internal Arab affairs.

The Arabs “are unable to agree as to their leadership,” the Bulletin states. “There are interests that cannot be reconciled — religious and national and financial. They have not the funds necessary to organize such a pan-Arabic congress. They are waiting to be subventioned by some interested foreign nation. But the World Jewish Congress is as unrelated to the pan-Arabic congress as the snows of yesterday.

The editorial also takes exception to the form of the letter. In addition, the release says that at a luncheon meeting of 27 rabbis of the metropolitan area opposition was expressed to Dr. Adler’s view and a resolution of adherence to the world congress was passed.

The American Jewish Congress announced receipt of a statement from Dr. Heinrich Rosmarin, president of the Polish Jewish Deputies’ Club, who said that there was a united front in favor of the congress among the Polish Jews.

The petition urging reconsideration of the congress said that it would “create confusion and thus impede the important work of many existing organizations here and abroad,” adding that it would be “productive of more harm than good.” The following have signed it to date:

Carl J. Austrian, Paul Baerwald, David M. Bressler, Louis Fabricant, Leon Falk Jr., William K. Frank, Blanche B. Goldman, Dr. J. J. Golub, Morris S. Lazaron, Leo Lehman, Solomon Lowenstein, I.D. Morrison, George W. Naumburg, Clarence Y. Palitz, Harold Riegelman, Dr. A.J. Rongy, James N. Rosenberg, Eustace Seligman, Roger W. Straus, David H. Sulzberger, Felix Vorenberg, A. Leo Weil and Jonah B. Wise.