Digest of World Press Opinion

The New York Times, reporting the revival of open Nazi anti-Jewish propaganda in Austria, states:

The open revival of Nazi anti-Semitic propaganda with the full permission of the government, which was signalized by the publication of the newspaper Deutsche Arbeiter Presse, has caused jubilation among the Nazis and consternation among those who believed the policy of the late Chancellor Dollfuss and his successors was to build up a bulwark in Europe against Nazi doctrines.

The newspaper, by special agreement with Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg, is issued by Dr. Walter Riehle, “pioneer” of Nazi anti-Semitism in Austria, as he proclaims himself in its first issue.

He writes of “Jewish insolence,” declares the policy of Theodor Habicht, former German leader of the Nazis in Austria, spelled disaster to the Austrian Nazi movement’s glorious ideals and says the only ones to profit by it were the “accursed Jews, who even now dare to call themselves Austrian patriots.”

NON-ZIONISTS AID THE JEWISH AGENCY

Speaking of the misunderstandings often occurring between the Zionists and the non-Zionists in the Jewish Agency. The New Palestine, official organ of the Zionist Organization of America, suggests that the New York meeting of the Administrative Committee on December 31 should be utilized for building up the non-Zionist section of the Jewish Agency. The paper writes editorially:

The present anomalous situation cannot continue without destroying the extended Jewish Agency. It is a curious thing that just in the United States, where representative government is regarded as the essence of Americanism, the non-Zionist section of the Jewish Agency should be maintained with no regard for what is usually called “constituency.” It is surprising that under such conditions it should have been possible to operate the extended Jewish Agency for five years without its going to pieces.

A number of the best non-Zionist supporters of the Agency, who are keenly interested in its work, have gradually divested themselves of any and all official responsibility. They seem to think it possible to maintain influence in the Agency without occupying positions of authority. Thanks largely to the uncanny Jewish legalistic ability which overcomes technicalities and statutes and procedure, a semblance of joint responsibility has been maintained in the Jewish Agency with great difficulty, often being the cause of misunderstandings and hard feelings.

CIVIC VIRTUES OF SOUTH AFRICAN JEWS

Commenting {SPAN}#n{/SPAN} the civic virtues of South African Jewry, the Zionist Record of Johannesburg states editorially:

The civic virtues of South African Jews, their readiness and keenness to shoulder their full share of responsibility for the management and progress of our cities and towns, are remarkably exemplified by the fact that at the moment the three most important civic positions in the Union are held by members of our community.

Pretoria, the capital of the Union, has conferred a signal honor upon Mr. Ivan Solomon in according him, by unanimous vote of his colleagues, a third consecutive year of office. In Johannesburg the elevation to the Mayoral chair of Mr. Maurice Freeman, though not officially confirmed at the moment of going to press, is a foregone conclusion. In Cape Town, Mr. Louis Gradner continues to hold the position which he has filled with such distinction for over a year.

GERMAN-JEWISH CHILDREN’S PROBLEM

The problem of Jewish children in Germany is discussed by Miss Cecilia Razovsky in The Reform Advocate:

What are we to do with the 50,000 German-Jewish children of school age who have no opportunities to learn trades or to receive a higher education in Germany? This is indeed a serious problem, the gravity of which can be measured by the fact that fathers and mothers are willing to let their little children leave them for countries that are thousands of miles away.

The Jews of every country in Europe and in the United States are attempting to remove as many children from Germany as they can. It is hoped that 5,000 children will be sent out of Germany to Palestine. The English Jews are planning to educate at least 500 German-Jewish children in their schools. Here in the United States, we intend to offer education to 250 children so that these will be able to plan for a future somewhere in the world when they grow up. In making plans for these 250 children, we are hoping to secure free homes with private families for the children. Some of these youngsters come from religious orthodox homes and would like to live in comparable homes in this country.

To those persons who doubt the advisability and the need of helping Jewish children out of Germany I should like to present this picture: Here is a classroom. On one side sit some Jewish children. Between them and other children are rows of vacant seats, for they are parians. The teacher is giving instruction to the other children about the superiority of certain races and the inferiority of the Jewish race. What effect can such treatment have on growing, plastic minds? How can we expect children to grow up normal human beings under such pressure and in such an atmosphere?

“THE FORTY DAYS” AND REICH JEWRY

Gilbert Seldes, writing in The New York Evening Journal on “The Forty Days of Musa Dagh,” the latest book by Franz Werfel, says:

I do not want to bring in a minority report on the massive and often masterly book, “The Forty Days of Musa Dagh,” but I think it is worth noting that in connection with the Jews in Germany this book expresses a dangerous idea.

The novel tells the story of some 5,000 Armenians, facing expulsion and ultimate death at the hands of the Turks, who fortify a mountain top, beat off their enemies, and are ultimately rescued. The adventure side of the story is tremendously good.

The political side is all favorable to the small minority against the oppressor; symbol of the Jews against the Nazis. But in telling the story Werfel has again and again suggested that the small minority is not only in every way superior to the great power, but cannot be reconciled to it.

This may be true of Armenian and Turk. But the argument of the Jews in Germany is that they are good Germans, loyal to Germany, suffering her sufferings and contributing to her joys. They ask to be allowed to live as Germans. It is a sounder argument than the one implied in the book.

STEUBEN SOCIETY IN ITS TRUE COLORS

Under the title, “Steuben Society in Its True Colors,” The Philadelphia Jewish Exponent declares editorially:

The report of the national chairman of the Steuben Society of America on the status of the Jews of Germany removes all further doubt as to the Nazi character of this German-American organization. It will not be surprising to find the national president, who gave the Fatherland a clean bill of health following his five weeks’ stay in that country, repeating this propaganda whenever opportunity offers.

This, of course, cannot be stopped. Jews and other liberals, who have been prone to withhold judgment, should now be completely disillusioned. They should make their position clear. The mask should be torn away so that the Steuben Society may be revealed in its true colors.