Is this city one of the main reservoirs for Hitler propaganda in America? If it is-and evidence to warrant the fear is rapidly accumulating-the ground work must have been prepared by clever, sinister hands, the progress must have been extrordinary.
The other day Dr. William H. Fineshriber, rabbi of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, startled a group of B’nai B’rith members with the announcement that he has learned on reliable authority that a group of Nazi propagandists are busily engaged in this city. Yesterday it became known that Lord Marley, chief opposition whip of the British House of Lords, is coming to this city the first week in February in order to expose Nazi propaganda in this country. M. L. Olkin, secretary of the Philadelphia committee to aid victims of German fascism, explained that for a number of months Lord Marley has been gathering evidence to prove that the leaders of the Nazi party in Germany were themselves perpetrating atrocities and dircting horible persecutions, while issuing denials to the press of the world.
“Philadelphia,” Olkin declared, “is one of the key cities in the program towards the Nazification of America and Lord Marley will bring his evidence here to throw into the teeth of the Hitler agents. At the same time, our committee will disclose evidence of Nazi activity here that will astound not only Philadelphia but the nation.”
In connection with these revelations it is recalled that less than five months ago the German Ambasdor suffered humiliating defeat when he came here in connection with the celebration commemorating the 250th anniversary of the first landing of Germans in Germantown. It was his wish that the swastika be displayed on that occasion. The local committee refused. He remonstrated, threatening to leave without delivering his set address, but the committee was adamant. He left with his speech undelivered in his pocket. Some are of the opinion that this was a sort of a challenge, a signal for action. Failing to achieve their end in a public way, the Hitler henchmen immediately organized their propaganda through subterranean channels, it is said.
It is also recalled that the notorious German propagandist, Professor Schoneman, had himself invited to address a group on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania where he painted a glorious picture of Germany’s future. Leaflets and pamphlets are being distributed in public places. “Nazi Nights” are being arranged. These “Nights” are being well attended. A German maid applying for a position as domestic in a Jewish home made it clear she would have to be “off” every Friday evening since that was her “Nazi Night”. The number of “want ads” in the newspapers specifying “Gentiles only” are on the increase.
Leaders in the community feel that steps should be taken to counteract these machinations. Whether measures will be taken remains to be seen.
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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.
