Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-14
MEMBER OF DOUMA
TALKS OF WAR ASST
CONCERNS THE JEWS
Doctor Levin, Here to Raise
Fund for Destitute in
Palesine, Says Crisis
Was Needed to Arouse
Russia.

Dr Shmaryahu Levin, member Of the
First Russian Douma and leading Zion
ist, is in Germany, and who was stranded
in this country, is here and will be the
principal speaker tonight, at mass meet
ing arranged by the Zonists for the pur-
pose of raising a fund for the Jews in
Palestine, who are suffering starvation as
q result of the European war.
oscar Straus is the nitiator OF the
movement TO raise S25o.O0O and Louis d.
Brandeis, the noted Boston lawyer. is the
chairman of the National Committee. The
latter also will be here tonight to address
the mass meeting in Musical Fund Hall.
DR.. solomon Soils Cohen will be chair
man Of the meeting. and many of the
most prominent Jews in the city are ex-
pectcd to attend and contribute.
This is the first Of a series Of meetings
that will be held in the leading cities Of
America where tho attitude of the Jews
toward the war will bc discussed
y do not care to discuss the question
as to who is right and who is wrong in
this war;" said DR., Levin. Nor do I
hold that pubic opinion is always right.
That is q separate question. What do
wish to point out, however, is how far
the nations are forced. when they find
themselves in dangerous position. to
take into consideration the power OF the
worlds opinion. You may go contrary
to it in times of peace, but when a catas-
trophc comes, ono becomes more plant,
because the entire world sits in judg.
ment. and history may come to collect
old debts.
"As an example We see that even the
Russian Government has suddenly be-
come sensitive and alive to tine fact that
Jewish soldiers are sacrificing their lives
in this war. This war was necessary in
order TO open its eyca TO see that seven
million Jews in its domains are also
human beings. At present, however, the !
Russian Government is making only !,
promises, and these under blind adj |
dress She has them announced through |
arouymOus sources in Copenhagen. But f.,
this is characteristics Of war times. Even .
the great bear has bestirred Itself and |
begun to heed public opinion"
Speaking Of the attitude of the Jews
throughout the world to the war, he
said.
But as the Jews are scattered through
out the world. and they must night |
brother against brother, II Is quite hard |
10 apportion their Sympathies. 1t Is al |
most Commendab,c that Germany is not |
augcred with the Russian Jewish SOL |
die.S. and Russia with its German and |
Austrian Jewish soldiers. England how |
ever, desires greatly that all Jews who !
are not taking a definite side in the war
r4f ttstfh L'rNUl nd ND
with Eng.and's cause.
1T appears strange that at this time |
there is no united Jewish public opinion |
on the present war The Jewish opinion |
Is greatly scattered because the Jewish |
nation is scattered"
Or. Levin also spoke o. the terrible |
conditions in Palestine as result Of the |
wa. Palestine is dependent for its eE-
iStence upon the rest OF the world. And !
when the rest Of the world Is at war
there is nothing left for the Jews in |
Palestine except starvation.