Revisionists Deny Maneuvers Constitute Military Threat

Headquarters of the B’rith Trumpeldor, militant youth organization affiliated with the Revisionists, today issued a statement proclaiming what are called the “first official facts with regard to B’rith Trumpeldor maneuvres.”

“For some time,” the statement says, “there have been various reports in circulation about B’rith Trumpeldor movements. Above all it has been made the subject of discussion in the anti-Semitic press of Poland, Austria and Germany. The Polish Endeks have introduced two interpellations in the Sejm, one directed to the Minister of the Interior and the other to the Prime Minister. Every day columns appear in the anti-Semitic newspapers about the Jewish military and its dangers to world peace. The Jewish press too has had several reports which are not in accordance with the facts.”

J. Halpern, Trumpeldor commandant, who wrote the statement, continues:

“In 1933 at the meeting of the B’rith Trumpeldor Executive, attended by the leader, Vladimir Jabotinsky, it was decided to arrange a gathering in one of the European countries in connection with the World Conference of the B’rith Trumpeldor. The organization of this Betariade was handed over to J. Halpern.

“Since it was decided that some of the participants would come on foot and that scout exercises, signaling, first aid, etc., would take place, reports went about in the press that they would be maneuvres.

PLANS FOR CONCLAVE

“The Executive of the B’rith Trumpeldor got in touch with various countries to decide where the Betariade should be held, and the Commandant of the Betariade visited several European countries in this connection. He pointed out to the representatives of various governments the advantages of the Betariade in respect of tourist traffic. Several countries are interested in having the Betariade held in their country, but not every country can provide the necessary conditions, and to the present day no definite answer has been given to any country.

“It is true that the Betarim in Poland have suggested that the Betariade should be held in Poland, and Zaleszczyski was visited and information was obtained from the local authorities about holding the Betariade there. It is also correct that the authorities on their part promised to give full assistance if the Betariade would be held in Zaleszczyski, but no decision has so far been made about the place where the Betariade is to be held, and all the rumors about preparations having been made in Zaleszczyski are unfounded. The decision about the place where the Betariade will be held will be made public in a few days.”

PROGRAM INCLUDES GYMNASTICS

The program of the Betariade is as follows:

A fortnight’s summer camp, and then the Betariade will be opened and will last three days. On the first day there will be collective exercises and gymnastics; on the second day, sports and athletic events, such as boxing, fencing, running; on the third day, field exercises; and on the fourth day the world conference of the Betar will be opened.

“It does not seem,” the statement concludes, “that this program of the Betariade contains anything to hinder the League of Nations continuing to explore the prospects of disarmament, or that it should lead to a new world war, as the anti-Semitic press is shouting.”