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Jacob Wassermann, Noted German Jewish Novelist, Arrives in United States

February 10, 1927
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Explains His Attitude on Jewish Problem, in Interview with J.D.B. Representative

Jacob Wassermann, well known German Jewish novelist, arrived yesterday on the Steamer Hamburg accompanied by Mrs. Wassermann.

When interviewed by the representative of the “Jewish Daily Bulletin” Mr. Wassermann stated that he came to the United States in a private capacity at the invitation of the Jewish banker. Harry Goldman, of Goldman, Sachs & Co. He will spend eight weeks in this country. He is stopping at the St. Regis Hotel.

“My attitude towards the Jewish problem has been expressed in my work through the mouth of some of my heroes. I am of the opinion that Jews should not beg the world for tolerance but win their rights with pride,” he declared. “I am not a political leader, I am not a social worker and that is the reason why I am not near to any of the specific Jewish movements. I am, however, interested in Jewish problems in my own way. Those who have read my book ‘I as German and Jew’ know exactly what I think as a Jew.”

Asked for his opinion on Jewish literature, Mr. Wassermann declared that he does not know Yiddish or Hebrew but a certain number of works of Jewish writers are known to him through translations. “The one I like most is Bialik,” he stated.

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