New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-28
A UNION OF AMERICAN JEWS
Il Should Be Formed to Speak in tie
Peace Conference
"a Tho Editor 81 The Tribune

10 the EDITOR OF j ne iflDune.
Sir: The welfare Of our race, know. IL.
matter Of deep interest to you. II Is to me.
although for the past two years my actiyitie,
toward helping our coreligionists have been
limited Ny interest, however, has ever been
warm and have observed carefully, although
with certain msgivings, the activities 81 our
American Jews in their efforts to ameiora.s
the conditions Of Jews throughout the world
Our conferences. our conventions and On,
many meetings have served probably in
measure to awaken the Jew to a recognition
Of his actual standing and TO his deplorabl.
condition. Beyond this little has been accom-.
plished Little can be accomplished. however
worthy and sincere the efforts Of distin-
guished representatives Of our race who con.
vene at conference Their practical utility
toward actually changing conditions, toward
really making their influence felt is. in ny
humble opinion, trfing. II is my sincere be.
lief that in the present status OF the worlds
politics when massive and gigantic interests
clash the voice Of the representatives OF TIVE
and a half millions Of the worlds inhabitants
is not so significant either in spirit or in power
as 10 cause the great political entities. the
great powers, to halt and pay attention 70
the dictates of the justice o. our cause.
The great peace conference which will take
place will be the best clearing house OF racial
and religious economic problems Never ye.
in our worlds history were such vital issues
at stake awaiting solution by the powers.
This wonderful opportunity for bringing the
Jewish problem to the fore will probably
never again occur and you will agree with me
that a misuse of the powers that the Jews
of this country can bring into action would
bring about veritsble catastrophe.
II is my earnest belief that when the
powers of Europe and this country are finally
assembled in conference only nations and
powerful nations will be able 70 demand
change and reform. No small bodies, row.
ever earnest and sincere their aspirations,
will be able to force their viewpoint upon
the bodies Of the powers assembled. II is
nv opinion that proper method Of procedure
would be not TO waste our energies and our
forces upon the propagation of sterile confer.
ences. but to strive to have this country
actually act as a representative and advocate
for the Jew and his hopes.
A suggestion for action: Let American
Jews influence our President 10 call into Be.
ing an assemblage composed OF committees OF
three or four from each state in the Union
which assemblage of men, posted as to the de-
sres and hopes of American Jewry and its
conditions, could select given number among
themselves as nearly representative Of the
actual thought and aspiration Of our people
as would be possible to create.
Our hopes could thus be given strong in
dividual voice, the powers that rule in this
country could appreciate to the full our
ambition and this country could act as our
voice and representative at an international
peace conference. The voice of the United
States of America will be heard at that peace
conference. The question is whether that
voice will speak for US. AS mere body OF
two millions or more Jews our efforts and our
cries will be needed but as a whisper. il at
all. We have a golden opportunity if we care
to avail ourselves of it.
Further steps TO the attainment Of our
hopes would be possible and even likely once
our nation begins to champion our aspirin
tions. A precedent once established by the
American government, other nations could
and would be induced TO follow suit, to gather
data and information of the status OF our
people, and upon the arrival OF the great
day Of peace. not only the political and eco
nomic conditions and tremendous changes
growing from out of the great war will BE-
considered, but the great Jewish question
so near to our hearts and hopes. the problem
that is primary in the thoughts and ambitions
Of our greatest minds, will demand and re-
ceve solution. HENRY GREEN
New York, Nov. %, 1915.