United Jewish War Effort Declines Participation in Drive for Tanks for Russia

The United Jewish War Effort organized by the American Jewish Congress will not participate in securing funds for the purchase of tanks and bombers as a Jewish gift to the Russian Army, which has been proposed by the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee in Russia, it was announced here today by Dr. Stephen S. Wise.

The announcement was made after consultations which Dr. Wise, as president of the American Jewish Congress, is reported to have had in Washington with officials of the U.S. Government and of the Soviet Embassy, asking their opinion on the advisability of the participation of the United Jewish War Effort in the drive for tanks and bombers which is now being conducted by some groups in America in reply to the call issued by the Anti-Fascist Committee. The statement issued by Dr. Wise reads:

“The United Jewish War Effort, now engaged in organizing relief for Britain, Russia and China and rendering every possible assistance to the victory drive in our own country, will not endeavor to secure funds for the purchase of bombers and tanks for Russia.

“The military assistance required and deserved by the Soviet Union is not within the compass of any private agency or the civilian population of this country.

“Moreover, after consulting our government and the Russian authorities, the United Jewish War Effort has been confirmed in its belief that the only effective military assistance which can and should be given to the Soviet Union must come from the governments of the United Nations. Our effort, therefore, will take the form of every assistance to the civilian population of Russia.”

WILLKIE CARRIES MESSAGE TO RUSSIA ON AMERICAN JEWISH AID

Simultaneously, Edward C. Carter, president of the Russian War Relief, addressed a letter to Dr. Israel Goldstein, informing him that he had given Wendell Willkie a letter on the eve of Willkie’s flight to Moscow, which said in part as follows: “Speaking as President of Russian War Relief, Inc., I can assure you of what you already know, namely, that Jewish citizens in the United States have not only contributed widely to Russian War Relief, Inc., but with great generosity they have supported this effort in every part of the United States.”

Mr. Carter emphasizes that he wanted Willkie “to pass this message on to our friends in the USSR.” This, he says, will make clear that although many Jewish groups are not participating in the campaign to raise a fund specifically for tanks and bombers for the Russian army, there is wide-spread participation by American Jews in the Russian War Relief activities on behalf of the USSR.