The London Morning Post reports the following interesting fact:
A valuable ring that should have been successively bequeathed to the best living German actor was deliberately destroyed by its present owner at the cremation of Alexander Moissi.
The ring was known to German actors as the Iffland ring. Its owner, the distinguished nineteenth century actor Iffland, bequeathed it on his deathbed to his brilliant contemporary, Ludwig Devrient, on the understanding that he in turn should pass it on to the most outstanding player of the time.
The last owner of the ring, Robert Bassermann, received it from the famous pre-war actor, Friedrich Haase. In 1930 Bassermann declared his intention of bequeathing the ring when he died to Werner Kraus, but Bassermann severed his connection with the German stage eighteen months ago, when his Jewish wife was refused permission to act any longer with him.
He has not forgiven Nazi Germany, and he has seen Werner Kraus accepting honors from Nazi hands. So this week he consigned the coveted Iffland ring to the flames by setting it upon the finger of Alexander Moissi a few hours before his cremation.
A few German actors speak bitterly of Bassermann’s action, but many secretly admire him for it.
REVIEWS HISTORY OF GLASGOW JEWS
The Glasgow News, reviewing the history of the Glasgow Jewish community, gives the following data:
The first time the Jews settled in Glasgow was in 1829, and in a short time the two or three families obtained a room for the purpose of worship in High street. When arrangements were being made for the opening of the Glasgow Necropolis, part of the cemetery was allotted as a burial ground for the Jews, who paid over a sum of £100.
From a synagogue in the Old Post Office Court in Trongate, the congregation moved to rooms in the Anderson College of Medicine. Then a change was made to Howard street, and later to George street.
In 1875 it was decided to erect a permanent place of worship and thus, Garnethal Synagogue, the oldest in Glasgow, was opened in 1879.
EXPLAINS REASONS FOR POVERTY IN WARSAW
The Daily Express of London, writing on the Jewish situation in Warsaw, says:
There are more poor in Warsaw than in any other capital. The reason is simple. It is the capital of a country which used to enjoy great trade with Russia. Today there is little trade between the two countries. The collapse of the Russian banks at the end of the war beggared the rich.
Nearly forty per cent of Warsaw is Jewish. These Jews used to govern the big industries which manufacture liqueurs and tobacco and sell salt, coal, petrol and such materials. Nowadays the government has made monopolies of all such things.
For the private merchant there is, therefore, little business afoot. The only people who prosper are the servants of the government. Of the total population of Poland one-third are in government employ.
ON MYSTERY DEATHS OF 2 WOMEN EXILES
Commenting on the mysterious death of the two German Jewish women in London believed to have been poisoned by Nazi agents, the New York Post states:
Swiss authorities claim to have proof of the existence of a secret terrorist bureau in London which aims at the destruction of anti-Nazi elements in England as well as in France and countries on the Continent. It is reported that Dr. Wesemann, the ex-Socialist who is being held as hostage by the Swiss Government for the return of Berthold Jacob, had been in London several times recently and that he attempted to contact the Communist Muenzenberg and the Social Democrat Breitscheir, undoubtedly with the intention of playing them into the hands of the Nazi authorities.
Hannah Adams published in Boston in 1812 the first history of the Jews after Biblical times issued in the United States.
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.
