The Jewish people have a staunch champion in J. Leon Lazarowitz, hobo king, who now is being detained from his wanderings by parental authority. Yesterday Lazarowitz wrote to President Roosevelt asking him to “aid the members of the Hebrew faith in Germany.”
The letter was written from 839 Van Sinderen avenue, Brooklyn, where H. Lazarowitz, dealer in ladies garments, has his home. It was registered at the cost of twenty-one cents, and a legend inscribed on the envelope stated “This is a matter of life and death.”
“With sorrow in my heart I take pen and ink to write to you,” wrote Lazarowitz to President Roosevelt. “As a citizen of these United States of America and as a member of the Hebrew faith, and as a humanitarium (the word is his own), I appeal to you to aid the members of the Hebrew faith in Germany.
“Hitler says that he is not boycotting the Jewish people in Germany but from March 21st to April 7th as reported to these shores from reliable sources and published in the two most fearless American newspapers, the Jewish Daily Bulletin and the New York Times, the persecution of the Hebrews still continues.
“Hitler cannot pay his honest debts to America but he can take and does take honest foreign money and arms the Nazis, with their outrageous barbarian cohorts. Hitler must stop persecuting the Hebrew people in Germany or it will be a menace to civilization itself. The sixteen million in the world of Hebrew faith look to you as their leader. Do not fail them in their hour of need.
“Kindly inform Mr. Hans Luther the accredited ambassador of Germany to this country, of the contents of this letter.
“I propose that if necessary the President as the direct representative of the Government and the people of these United States of America to abrogate its treaty of friendship and also sever diplomatic relationship with the barbarian nation of Germany.
“Kindly inform me by return mail what action you have taken.”
Mr. Lazarowitz admits doubt whether he will receive a reply.
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.
