Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

South African Minister Assailed for Terming Jews “guests” of Nation

October 13, 1937
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

THE SOUTH AFRICAN CAPE TIMES AND EDUCATION MINISTER HOFMEYER TODAY TOOK DEFENSE MINISTER OSWALD PIROW TO TASK FOR HIS SPEECH TO THE GERMAN COMMUNITY IN WARTBURG IN WHICH HE WARNED THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ANTI-GERMAN BOYCOTT AND DEPRECATED PROPAGANDA BY THOSE “ENJOYING THE HOSPITALITY OF SOUTH AFRICA.”

THE TIMES INTERPRETED THIS AS A “TRANSPARENT REFERENCE” TO THE JEWS, WHO, THE PAPER SAID, “ARE GUESTS OF SOUTH AFRICA NO MORE THAN THE GERMANS.” IT DECLARED THAT THEY ARE FULL CITIZENS, AND A REFERENCE BY A MINISTER OF THE CROWN THAT THEY ARE ANYTHING LESS IS “A MONSTROUS INDISCRETION, IF NOTHING STRONGER.” “THESE APPALLINGLY CLUMSY AND INJURIOUS REFERENCES TO SOUTH AFRICAN JEWRY INVOLVE THE CABINET IN A DILEMMA HARDLY TO BE ESCAPED WITHOUT REBUKE TO HIM,” THE TIMES DECLARED.

MR. HOFMEYER, SPEAKING AT PARAL, DECLARED THAT SOUTH AFRICA HAS THE RIGHT TO SELECT IMMIGRANTS, “BUT ONCE THEY HAVE LEGALLY SET UP HOMES, WE DO NOT HAVE A JOT OF JUSTIFICATION FOR DISCRIMINATING AGAINST THEM.”

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement