Wise Controversy Reechoes in Jewish Press of Europe

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

The controversy in the American Jewish community over the sermon of Dr. Stephen S. Wise reechoed widely in the Jewish press of the European countries.

The “Jewish World,” the English Jewish weekly of London, in commenting on the controversy declared that “It is a serious matter for Zionism, not only in America but the world over. The success of the rebuilding work in Palestine depends on the contribution of the American Jewish community. The presence or absence of Dr. Stephen S. Wise at the head of the collection makes a serious difference. No man among the American Zionists possesses so much influence, not only among the Zionists, but also among the non-Zionists.

“On the other hand, it must be admitted that a very real danger exists in teaching of Christian doctrine from the Jewish pulpit,” the paper states.

408 FAVOR WISE REMAINING CHAIRMAN OF UNITED PALESTINE APPEAL, FINAL RETURNS OF STRAW VOTE SHOW

The final figures in the straw vote conducted by the “Jewish Daily Bulletin” on the Wise controversy resulted in a total of 408 favoring Dr. Wise remaining chairman of the United Palestine Funds Appeal; 35 urging his resignation and 10 refraining from expressing an opinion pro or con.

Nathan Straus stated in a letter to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency: “A collection headed by any man but Dr. Wise would prove an ignominious failure. Dr. Wise has made more sacrifices for the Jewish cause than all his opponents combined. Unfortunately he was misunderstood.”