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Jews in Soviet Poland Lost to World Jewry, Dubnow Holds in Interview

October 2, 1939
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That section of Polish Jewry which has come under Russian rule must be considered completely lost to the Jewish people, Prof. Simon Dubnow, famous historian, declared here in an interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. It was difficult to forecast what the fate of Polish Jewry will be, he said.

Prof. Dubnow charged that world democracy had taken up the fight against national socialism too late. The fight, he said, should have been begun in 1933. In failing to recognize that the anti-Jewish campaign of the Nazis was the first stage in a drive to annihilate democracy, the historian asserted, the democracies made a “grave error.” The second stage in the drive, he said, was destruction of the smaller powers. Now, the third stage, the attack on the great powers, has been reached and it will be the task of these powers to restore peace. Jews, Dr. Dubnow declared, must use all their influence to help realization of this task.

Dr. Dubnow stated that Great Britain, France and the United States were the last hope of Jewry. Apart from these, he said, there is the smaller ray — Palestine. After the destruction of Polish Jewry, Dr. Dubnow declared, Palestine Jewry acquired great importance. The historian urged formation of Jewish legions in Palestine and other countries.

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