R. D. B. Speaks

For thirty years Editor-in-chief of the Daily Express in London, England’s most celebrated journalist and chairman of the Board of Directors of the London Daily Express

I have criss-crossed the Middle West with assiduity and speed and no rest. I have addressed many audiences at least once a day; in universities, Town Hall series, clubs, civic centers and Jewish places of worship. I have not spoken specifically on the Jewish question, but, naturally, in discussing the European situation I have had to dwell on the part which the Hitler policy of anti-Semitism has played in fashioning the crazy quilt under which Europe and the rest of the world, for tat matter, is now making desperate efforts to find peace and quiet. Everywhere I have found deep-seated sympathy for the Jews in this dread hour of disaster. But through it all I have also discerned that sympathy is one thing and practical aid is another. You will do well not to expect—and you have no right to expect—that non-Jews should exert themselves to give material aid. To the Jews alone belongs the task of keeping their breth### from want and misery. The rest of the world ### its own troubles to attend to. Therefore, once ###in, I exhort all Jews who can afford it to come to ### aid of their suffering co-religionists now and not wait until the best time for assistance has been squandered.

Some interested people are busily engaged in disseminating the news that Palestine is full; that Palestine wants no further influx of Jewish immigrants and that the British Government, the mandatory power, shares this view. I have cause to know that this is not true. I happen to be a personal, even close, friend of Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister, the Colonial Secretary in the British Cabinet and I know that he is personally deeply sympathetic in the cause of Jewry and that he will do everything in his power to assist in placing Jews, particularly agriculturalists, on the land in the mandated territory. But it must be remembered that Sir Philip, while he is Colonial Secretary, is not Jewish Secretary; that he has other interests to consider with justice and discrimination and that he performs his task, as I know also from close observation, with the keenest sense of duty to all sides. It is not right to expect the millenium to pop around the corner without notice and some Jews are apparently of that view. Nor is it possible by simple feats of legerdemain to raise a giant hand over stricken Germany and lift there from all the oppressed and suppressed Jews who are crushed under Hitlerism. Slowly, surely, definitely and inevitably must be the course of relief and I for one am hopeful after observing this astonishing spectacle of Jewish unity in the United States that, with proper leadership, guidance, inspiration and policy, Jewry will once again be able to stand up straight.

We must make up our minds that so far as the Jews of Germany are concerned a large number of them must necessarily be left behind to meet the degradation of second-class citizenship or whatever those adventurers choose to call it, but, for the rest, sanity and justice, backed by coordination and leadership, must and will prevail.

Meanwhile, organize, and if anyone offers you the choice of German or American goods it is hardly necessary to say what you ought to do. Remember always that the most fervent and enthusiastic Nazi is much more sensitive in his pocket than he is in his head.