New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-27
Problems Confronting the
Race Touched On by
DR.. Stephen Wise.
BRANDEIS ELECTED
HONORARY PRESIDENT
Philadelphia Conference APP
points Delegates Who VIII
Seek to Redress Wrongs.

From a Star Corr,s pendent q Tie IrltuneJ
Philadeipl ia, March 26.-Within the
shadow Of the structure where the
founders Of American liberty sat and
celebrated. another group Of deter
mined men to-day forged the first link
in the independence Of a people perse-
cuted for 1000 years the Jews. The
assembly Of delegates from every part
Of fhe United States was strikingly
reminiscent of the ancient Sanhedrin,
or Hebrew parliament. Like the SAN
hedrin. the body Of eager men who are
meeting in the Hotel Walton viii at
tempt 10 map out n Destiny for the en-
tire race-12 100000 men, women and
children scattered over the face OF the
earth.
Two years ago the germ Of the plan
for this conference toOL root IN the
hearts Of a little group OF immigrants
in New York who had felt the lash or
persecution in Russia, Austria and the
Balkan countries. For two years
American Jewry debated the wisdom
Of such an assembly. but the plan was
irresistible and, IN spite OF the violent
objections of such influential Jews as
Jacob II. Schif, Felix NJ. Warburg,
Oscar S. Straus and Louis Marshall,
the call went out.
Ex-Judge Leon Sanders acted as
temporary chairman. 1--WE meet here
to-day" he said "just as the patri-
archs Of old met, TO demand Of the
peoples Of the earth redress for the
wrongs Of our race The attention OF
the whole world is directed to this
conference. We are not here for the
PURPOSE of advancing the cause Of any
individual We are not here 20 de
nounce any of our brethren. We must
he patient with those who do not share
cur views"
When Mr.. Sanders introduced Dr.
stephen S. Wise the assembly rose TO
its feet and cheered Only after sew
eral attempts was Dr. Wise able 20
make himself heard. Tho preacher
said in part:
Pays Tribute TO Brandels.
Were il not for certain circum-
stances this meeting would IN all Ike
lihood have come under the direction
Of the surest Of hands. Not very long
ago the President Of the Republic
sought throughout the land for man
20 take a place on the foremost TIL
bunal Of the land, the Supreme Court
a the United States. BY common con
tent Of all save the abettOrs Of priv
ilegc. the man was found in citizen
- the Republic whose life has been as
fer-.iceable 70 the nation az II has been
IGNORING to Israel. This American
Jew. who more thar any other has
r.oved his people to repossess them
selves Of the spirit OF self-determina-
ton and 10 loose themselves from
long endured bondage of eleemosynsry
patronage. is Louis Dembitz Rrandeis.
eve have no programme. As indl-
tiduals we have opinions. even conVlc-
tions But our programme might be
summed up in the words: the Jewish
people must create their own organ
through which after earnest dellbera-
ton and discussion to express their
convictions touching the deeds and de
msnds of the Jewish people. Beyond
this we are not 10 20.
zone further step this congress may
take. Il may. after reaching decision
that a congress be held, suggest IN out
line a programme TO be considered by
the congress. But Il must be under
stood that this conference can do no
more than tentatively draft pro
gramme for the consideration Of the
congress, which congress must remain
free TO reach its own decisions on all
questions.
Situation of Jews.
"Whilc no man may speak with au-
thOrity for this conference, il is obyi-
Gus that among the questions to be
considered b. II is the situation of
Jews in various lands, especially the
belligerent lands. the situation IN Pal
estine which history has created for
us--the situation which an historic
people have recreated for themselves
the Jewish migration which as q
problem has been intensified rather
than evoked by the world war, the
question whether or not 3 Jewish con
gress shsll be brought into being, and,
after that, the choosing Of group of
men to be intrusted by US with the
task Of representing this conference
in making needed arrangements for
congress.
"The world cannot be expected 20
assent 20 any programme touching Is
rael's future as long As Israel docs
not unitedly deliberate and speak We
oNc II 90 the world TO bring into the
arena OF discussion those problems the
richtful solution Of which cannot be