Shortly before the “Case of Civilization Against Hitlerism” was presented at Madison Square Garden last night, New York police turned out in one of the strongest armies seen here in recent years to preserve order in what promised to be a riotous spectacle.
Following the receipt of threatening letters from Nazis, the American Jewish Congress, principal group sponsoring the affair, asked for the greatest possible police protection. Their demands were promptly met.
It was learned yesterday that Nazi cells throughout the city and in adjoining towns, villages and cities had ordered all members to turn out for the affair and to break it up. It was also learned that a number of anonymously written letters had been sent to those scheduled to speak.
To aid the police in their efforts to preserve order, two hundred members of the Jewish War Veterans turned out in uniform and a like number of the Youth Division of the American Jewish Congress were on hand in organized platoons.
Commissioner John F. O’Ryan personally supervised the policing of the Garden, when it became known that Nazi cells in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Hoboken, Union City, Newark, Elizabeth, West New York and points on Long Island had been ordered to attend. It was also learned that efforts had been made to bring into the Garden detachments of anti-Semitic and anti-democratic organizations.
COURT PROCEDURE
With all the solemnity of Supreme Court procedure Adolf Hitler, dictator-chancellor of the Third German Reich, his Nazi organization, his terrorization of non-Aryans and non-Nazis, his as sault on all established religions, his disruption of the German cultural, educational, professional and social structure of Germany, and his ruthless murder, pillage and rape of one of the most glorious nations the world has ever known, were brought before the bar of justice.
Hitler and Hitlerism were convicted when the “Case of Civilization Against Hitlerism” was presented by outstanding American authorities to more than 22,000 persons who jammed Madison Square Garden in one of the most impressive spectacles ever witnessed in New York and one of the most unique in history. For the first time in history a foreign ruler was formally brought to justice before the bar of American opinion.
ATMOSPHERE TENSE
An atmosphere of tension embraced the mammoth crowd that attended last night’s proceedings. Heckling from the audience was expected, and in anticipation of trouble, which it was feared might assume riot proportions under the direction of foreign and local Nazis, a strong police cordon was thrown around the great court. More than two hundred uniformed patrolmen guarded the doors and sidewalks of the Garden, while plain clothes detectives were stationed throughout the massive auditorium at strategic points. For a block on all sides of the Garden a score of mounted police and two mounted police sergeants maintained order in the river of humanity that flowed into the Garden. Large reserve forces of police were held in readiness at headquarters and nearby stations where they might respond to any emergency that might arise.
The Garden, decorated with American flags, which hung from the rafters and balconies and were draped about the rostrum, was bushed as one after the other celebrated American statesmen, ministers of the gospel, journalists, educators, sociologists, doctors and jurists, each rose in turn to lodge indictments against the Hitler government. On the speakers’ plat-from the most distinguished American citizens ever gathered together in the Garden at one time sat in judgment of Hitler.
NO REPLY FROM LUTHER
Shortly before the meeting it was announced by the American Jewish Congress that no reply had been received from the German Ambassador, Dr. Hans Luther, who had been invited to defend the Hitler administration from the platform. At the same time it was made known that no one, besides the announced speakers, would be allowed to sit or stand on the speakers’ platform, and emphatic orders were issued restricting any speech from the floor of the auditorium.
Early yesterday announcement was made of the substitution of Matthew Woll, vice-president of the American Federation of Labor for William Green, federation president, who was unable to make an appearance. Woll spoke for American labor.
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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.
