The Polish journal “Oblicze Dnia” publishes a letter from Romain Rolland, famous French novelist, in which he declares that he gives his fullest support to all those in Poland who are opposing the present anti-Semitic agitation in the country, which, M. Rolland writes, “makes me regret that I am not a Jew, for I am ashamed of my brethren, the Christians.”
“This epidemic of Europe,” M. Rolland goes on, “which one would have thought had disappeared since the dark medieval times, has again been revived owing to the reactionary forces in Europe, who are attempting to incite the poor classes of one race against the poor classes of another race and religion. They raise a wave of accumulated dissatisfaction and unhappiness.
“We are striving for a spiritual understanding with all the fine and noble elements of the Jewish people as well as of any other people in the world. The noble Poland of Mickiewicz, which has suffered so much, has no right to inflict sufferings on others. Its sacred mission should be to show its sympathy to those who suffer and to bring assistance to those who, like Poland herself in the past, are being oppressed. Help us to make good the injustices of the past. Let us unite and fight shoulder to shoulder in order to educate people for a better human society founded on justice, freedom and brotherhood.”
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
