Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-06
PLANNING FOR JEWISH FREEDOM
BY FREDERIC j. HAsKIN.

T while they have their roll of martyr.
they must go back several thousand
years in their search for an anniver-
sary OF independence won by their
own efforts.
Viewed in this light. the consress
scheduled for the near future, whore
the duly accredited representative of
"'oo"'op0 American Jews will convene
IN order TO demand equal rights for
their European brethren Is seen to he
a unique phenomenon. II is unusual.
too, that the first united action on
the part OF such a large section OF
the community should not be on II.
" behalf. but on that OF scattered
foreigners.
Considerable interest has been at
iracted By the internal disputes which
almost resulted In the congress idea
exploding. or at least in the calling of
a Congress only partially representa-
tive. y considerable party was on
posed 10 holding the congress until
after the Wal was over. on the ground
that an earlier move would be Drcma-
ture, and that it would be poor policy
to formulate demands until tho terms
OF peace could he forecast with some
accuracy. This opinion was strong
enough 10 cause some delay.
Division sharply nrked
The chief division of views was
brought out ICa matically in the con.
ference at the Hotel Aston, which was
addressed by Mr.. Justice Brandcis as
the leader OF one party with a ME,
ior union. lie was answered by men
IKE Oscar Straus and DIR. Magnes. and
the tension was snapped into confusion
by the action OF one prominent dele
gate who left the room. saying that. in
view OF the European he
could not listen 10 fancy speeches. The
question at issue was In its broadest
outlines. whether the scope Of the nro.
posed congress should be limited in
advance by the leaders who called IL.
to avotd the raising Of Issues which
might cnbarrass the cause. or whether
democratic spirit did not demand that
the congress decide all questions. in
Guiding that OF its limitations. for
itself. The prominent character OF the
gentlemen concerned caused the mat
ter TO attract much attention in New
York.
Still another separate branch of Jaw.
ISM sentiment is that represented by
Mr. Schin. whose farewell address,
was one of the most striking incidents.
mat have taken place recently In New
YORK. Mr.. Sch!ff believes that the ten.
dency OF the Jews toward racial au.
tonomy is a mistake; he holds mat
their autonomy should he nureIv -.
iiSious, that the distinction between
Jew and Christian differs in deure.
rather than kline from that obtaining
netween two different Christian sects.
say Unitarian and Presbyterian. There
Is a good deal TO he said for Mr.. SchIffs
Nv, especially by those who regard
America as the melting-pot: and 40 Far
III mas Kept him from affiliatine him
Selt with tho congress movement.
But broadly speaking, the union
seems to be complete. Practically the
whole body OF American Jews will be
,opresen.ed at the congress according
10 present Indications; and the nation
at large VIII watch with interest this
e1lort OF 5000, 600 of it's fellow-citizens
70 advance the cause Of their roce
abroad. and the greatest attempt op
record or the Jews to pull together.