New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-25

Especial correspondence TO The Tribune
London. July 13.-Dr. Hertz, the
Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, late Of
New York. has Just returned to London
after fortnights tour of the British
front in Flanders. During his visit he
met Field Marshal Sir John French, and
was the guest of the adjutant general
at British Headquarters. Sir John
French, who knew the Chief Rabbi in
South Africa, was intensely interested
in his mission, and every facility and
every courtesy were extended to him.
This was not my first experience Of
war" DR.. Hertz told The Tribune.
Fifteen years ago l was with my
brethren in South Africa during the
Boer War. But on this occasion con-
ditions are vastly different.
THE morale of the men seems to be
excellent. have never seen a happier
set of individuals than the allied troops
just out of the trenches.
"My tour, Of course, was devoted to
visiting our Jewish soldiers. both the
fit and the wounded. During the fort
night | practically lived in an automo-
bile. and WIS thus enabled to cover the
whole area of the British zone. This
continuous journeying was necessary
in order to fulfil my object, as Jewish
soldiers, naturally, are not in one unit,
but scattered throughout all"
Large Proportion of Jews in Army.
Gas A result of my tour | was par
ticularly struck with the relatively
large proportion of Jews in the army.
Only about one-half of the Jews Of
Great Britain are British born. and, as
YOU know, SUCH alone are eligible for
service. Yet, out of this number
about one hundred and thirty thousand
there are at least twelve thousand
Jews serving IN the ranks, while nine
hundred hold commissions as officers.
Among the better class Jews in Eng
land the Younger men have enlisted
almost to a man. And, apart from
these, large numbers figure among the
Australian and South African forces.
"War, | found, had a religious effect
on the men. II was one of the things
that impressed me most. |eIg on
PLAYS a great part in this war. Among
the most devout congregations ] have
ever addressed was one assembled at
q SPOT little more than a mile away
from a position then being bonbarded
by the enemy. Men had come upward
Of forty miles in order to be present
al that service.
"Never before have ! seen en- pray
or listen with more earnestnCss than
al this and similar gatherings. I'M
l:fe and death struggle proceeding all
the time has brought about an eXtraor-
di.ary change in the natures Of the
men in the fighting line. situated as
they are, within sight of death at any
moment, their hearts go out to their
religion probably as never before.
Asked about the type of address ne
roade to soldiers at the front, Or. Hertz
gave a few sentences from sermon TO
a large congregation Of troops at ne
synagogue near Rouen. They ran thus
81 have brought you the greeting; OF
your brethren at home and the ms
sage of our holy faith-a message OF
lnconquerable hope.
Ancients Foresaw "Deluge OF Fire.
There is an old Jewish legend Of
second deluge deluge Of tire-t1a'
would one day sweep over the ea:th:
In anticipation of it the children OF
the day were hidden to write The story
Of man on tables of clay. which tables
would thus not only escape destruction
but harden into stone.
ave to-day are the witnesses OF such
q deluge of fire dreamt of BIZ the an
clients. But this awful world coma
grafton will produce farreacning re-
suits. Instead of the laws OF justice
and humanity being efaceable at VIII.
accounted as mere brittle clay, the tri-
umph Of Great Britain and her allies
will convert these laws into regulatVc
principles in international dealings.
Even our enemies vii! vet bless
those who will have insured victory
to Great Britain; for she among the
rations possesses the divine secret Of
winning the loyalty and affection Of
those whom she vanquishes. For tes-