News received here from Vienna concerning the conversion of Hans Herzl to Catholicism has made a very deep impression upon Zionist circles here. According to the Vienna reports, Hans Herzl is supposed to be in London. A search instituted here for the purpose of locating him was, however, unsuccessful. It seems that Hans is avoiding contact with his former friends.
Mr. Louis Lipsky, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the American Zionist Organization and the only member of the Executive Committee of the World Zionist Organization who is now in London, when interviewed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, stated that if the report concerning young Herzl’s conversion is correct it will cause great consternation among Zionists and Jews all over the world. The Zionist Organization has wired to Vienna and is awaiting confirmation of the report. Hans Herzl is important only insofar that he hears the name of the great Zionist leader and is the son of the man whose memory is sacred to every Jew. However, the memory of the great Herzl cannot suffer, whatever his son may have done. Jews cannot help but feel sorry and ashamed for this action.
It is the general opinion in the Zionist Organization that this step of Hans’ was the result of a long-lasting abnormality and that it sprang out of his desire to become notorious.
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.
