Editorial Notes

DURING the presentation of the portrait of Isaac Moses, a Jewish revolutionary patriot and financier, to the Museum of the City of New York, Professor Samuel Eliot Morison, of Harvard, declared that a group of Jews arrived in the colony that is now New York, in 1654, on the St. Charles, which “we might call the Jewish Mayflower”.

The Nordics, Aryans, Nazi propagandists, and various agitators for revenue only, are thus reminded once more that Jews were among the first settlers in America, and that they had contributed their substantial share toward the upbuilding of this country. They made numerous sacrifices, together with other immigrants who had fled religious persecution, and gave of themselves and their possessions in order that American institutions of freedom and equality might be perpetuated.

All the unscrupulous agitators and Hitlerite propagandists who are trying to stir up animosity against the Jews in this country are spreading the poisonous gas of hate and unrest. They are importing alien and destructive doctrines, and are trying to undermine American institutions and the moral example of American tolerance and equality.

SNOW AND THE ARABS

THE Arab demonstrations in Palestine have passed quietly. It was feared that the demonstrations against the British policy regarding Jewish immigration and land sales in Palestine would result in serious disorders and riots Fortunately it snowed in Jerusalem and other parts of Palestine at the scheduled time, and the Arab hotheads cooled off. They read their protests to a comparatively small gathering in the mosque and then visited the graves of the Arabs killed during the October demonstrations.

The Arabs protested against the mandatory power for admitting too many German Jewish refugees. The truth is that the Palestine Administration has thus far admitted but a comparatively small number of German Jewish refugees and has failed to translate the promise made in the Balfour Declaration into fulfilment. This is the time for Great Britain to demonstrate the sincerity of her pledge to aid in the building of the Jewish national home. That would be a more effective answer to the anti-Jewish outrages in Germany than the most eloquent speeches made by British statesmen. Palestine can absorb a very much larger immigration now. And the Jews come there as builders, bringing to Palestine their ideals, their energy, their ability and their willingness to work. They are bringing gifts to their ancient homeland they are a factor for peace. They are bringing prosperity for all the inhabitants of the land. The Arab masses have already benefited immensely as a result of Jewish enterprise and energy. It is only the Arab agitators who are trying to incite strife and violence.

It is in the interests of the mandatory power, for the purpose of assuring progress and peace in Palestine, to adopt a more sympathetic and helpful policy with regard to Jewish settlement in the Holy Land.

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER

MR. JAMES G. McDonald, the High Commissioner for German refugees, appointed by the League of Nations, sailed for Europe yesterday after a brief visit in the United States. During his stay here he made it clear that the distress of the German refugees, both Jews and Gentiles, is extremely acute and that immediate relief on a large scale is urgent. He pointed out that this is not merely a Jewish but also a Christian problem. He appealed to both Jews and Christians to aid the unfortunate homeless victims. The organization headed by Mr. McDonald is composed of official representatives of fifteen nations, including the United States.

Several nations, such as France, Czechoslovakia, Poland and Yugoslavia, have afforded shelter to thousands of German refugees. Thousands of German Jews have gone to Palestine, where they have found their new-old home and new opportunities to live and work in peace.

Measures for the immediate relief of German refugees are being elaborated. The Jews of America, as always in times of crisis in the life of their brethren abroad, have responded and are sure to respond again wholeheartedly and generously.

It is hoped that in this unprecedented catastrophe, the Jews of America will strengthen the hands of the High Commissioner in order that the relief instrument created by the League of Nations may function quickly and effectively.

FRANCO-JEWISH RELIEF

NINE million francs have been contributed by French Jewry for relief work among German Jewish refugees. France has displayed admirable generosity in her treatment of the unfortunate victims of Hitler’s Germany. The French Jews have done and are doing their share of relief work in an exemplary manner.

Baron de Rothschild’s deservedly sharp criticism of some of the wealthy German Jews who had fled from Germany and who had failed to aid their needy brethren in this catastrophe has already yielded gratifying results, for a group of rich German Jewish refugees has now organized itself for the purpose of giving immediate aid to their brethren in distress.

Immediate relief must be given before any plans for the readjustment of the victims of Hitler can be elaborated.