The name of Henry Ford will no longer be used in connection with the publication of “The International Jew,” a volume of anti-Jewish articles culled from issues of the Dearborn Independent of 1921. Mr. Ford has taken up the matter with his representatives in Germany, and the use of his name will be stopped, it was learned here yesterday.
A new edition was recently issued by a German publishing house with “by Henry Ford.”
Published several months ago in Leipzig, the book contains a new introduction by the publishers, in which Ford is praised for having been the first to launch an attack on the Jews in this country. The volume is marked as being the twenty-ninth edition.
On receiving a letter from Mr. Herman Bernstein, Ford asked for a copy of this new edition. He later declared that he would do everything possible to make sure that further use of his name in this connection will not be made.
Following the settlement of the libel suit brought by Mr. Bernstein against Mr. Ford in 1927, the automobile manufacturer wrote in connection with the book as follows:
“I am informed through your counsel (Mr. Samuel Untermyer) that the articles in the Dearborn Independent have been translated into many languages and distributed throughout many countries of the world in book form under the title of “The International Jew.” Neither I nor The Dearborn Independent, so far as I know, have had anything to do with the translations, publications or distribution, and I am not only willing but anxious to actively co-operate with you to the end that the volumes shall be withdrawn and destroyed.”
On November 1, 1927, Mr. Ford sent the following letter of Theodor Fritsch, the German anti-Semite who translated the book for the publishers, Hammer Verlage of Leipzig:
“On June 30, 1927, I issued a statement regarding articles concerning the Jews which had appeared in the Dearborn Independent and some of which have been reprinted in pamphlet form under the title “The International Jew.” Being satisfied that these publications were unwarranted and that consequently it was my duty as an honorable man to retract the charges against the Jews contained in these publications and to withdraw the publications from circulation. I gave this statement the fullest publicity, and took it for granted that my wish in this regard would be scrupulously observed. I am enclosing a correct and authorized copy of that statement. All of the copies of “The International Jew” in the possession or under the control of the Dearborn Publishing Company have been destroyed at my instance.
“I am informed through the public prints that you are still publishing and circulating these pamphlets in various European countries in a number of languages, using my name in connection therewith and asserting that the publication rights thereof have not been withdrawn.
“In order that there may be no misunderstanding as to my wishes in this regard, you are accordingly notified that whatever rights you have or claim to have to publish “The International Jew” anywhere or in any language whatsoever, are hereby revoked and terminated, and that the publication, sale or other distribution of “The International Jew” and the use of the name of Henry Ford or of the Dearborn Publishing Company in connection therewith, by you or by any person or corporation claiming under you or acting by your authority as agent, licensee or otherwise, are hereby forbidden.
“In acknowledging this letter will you kindly inform me of your assurance that you will in all respects acquiesce in this demand.”
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.
