Statement of Jewish Congress

The American Jewish Congress issued a statement with regard to Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor.

The statement signed by Bernard S. Deutsch, president, and Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, honorary president, declared:

“It has been widely recognized that the appointment of Adolf Hitler, head of the National Socialist Party, to the chancellorship of the Reich, creates a grave situation for the Jews of Germany. This party, of which Hitler is the titular head, has been teaching that the difficulties of the Reich subsequent to the great war, are due to the Jews and has been preaching hatred and violence toward Jewish life and Jewish culture.

“Everybody knows the sort of psychopathic emotion which underlies doctrines of this kind, and everybody recognizes the real grounds in the international situation to which this emotion is due. But the great German people are noteworthy among Europeans for their firmness of character, natural justice and intelligence. It is in these qualities of the German masses, and in the sober common sense of the parties at present collaborating with Hitler, and particularly in the leadership of President Hindenburg, that we place our faith in this grave hour.

“We believe, moreover, that the usual effects of responsibility on the opposition will not fail to show themselves in the case of Hitler and his party, and that the policies of his Administration will turn from bogies and make-believe propaganda to the facts and necessities of real life.”