The case of Jack Maddocks, the young man who was arrested for distributing anti-Semitic boycott bill boards and who gave his address as that of the offices of Sir Oswald Mosley’s new party, thus occasioning some question as to the stand of the party to the Jews, recently underwent a new development.
At the time, it was explained by Dr. Robert Forgan, former Labor M.P. and co-founder of the party, that Maddocks was one of a number of unemployed who were permitted to live in the basement of the party offices at a very low rental.
The new party, Dr. Forgan stated, is not anti-Semitic and cannot be held responsible for the acts of a private individual who apparently has come under the influence of an anti-Semitic group.
In contrast to this statement made to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency by Dr. Forgan is the statement made by Leslie Cummings, assistant Director of the new party, to the effect that the party neither approves nor disapproves the sticking of anti-Jewish posters on premises.
Mr. Cummings, as quoted in the Daily Herald, asserts that his party has taken no official stand on the Jewish question.
“One of our members was recently fined, I know, for sticking up an anti-Jewish bill. He was not authorized to do so.”
“Do you disapprove of his action?” Mr. Cummings was asked.
“We neither approve nor disapprove.” he answered. “The decision on all matters of policy is in the hands of Sir Oswald Mosley. He has, as yet, made no pronouncement on our attitude to the Jews.
“I expect he will do so when he returns during the first week in September.”
The “Daily Herald” Parliamentary Correspondent writes that when Sir Oswald Mosley returns from the Continent in a week or two, the party will turn definitely Fascist.
It is to have a new name, which is not yet finally chosen; it is to have Storm Troops, and a nation-wide Fascist organization. “The Swastika, however, will not, I understand, be adopted as its emblem,” he added.
During the autumn a new statement of policy will be issued. This, presumably, will supersede all previous pronouncements.
“We have definitely embraced the Fascist philosophy,” Leslie Cummings said to the “Daily Herald” representative.
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.
