New-York tribune., 1917-11-03
For Peace, Not Socialism
Jews Misled in Supporting Hillquit
by False Arguments
To the Editor Of The Tribune.


! Sir: ! shall vote for John Purroy Mitchs,
for variety Of reasons. and because I an
going TO vote for him | protest against the
tone and content Of the article Of Charl.,
n. Douglas, which appeared in The Tribune
/ Wednesday morning. Mr.. Douglas intro.
duces prejudice and rancor into campaign
which ought TO be conducted with a clea,
understanding Of the Importance Of IN.
issues His argument is exactly parallels IA
the arguments used in Russia TO ju,tifv
pogroms and in America TO defend ynckine
1t is intended to create race prejudice /.
is an anti-social argument, which should no,
come from man who claims to have been
a Socialist.
There has been altogether too much locs.
talk about pacifism and disloyalty among
the Jews OF the East Side by persons who
do not know what they are talking about
The Jews have always been faithful and
obcdent to law. They have always been
loyal to government, even when government
has been unfair and unjust to them. At
the present time there are any number OF
American Jews who are serving their country
without a thought of selfish interest The
Jews have provided more than their proper.
ton for the Federal army. Whatever has to
do with active contribution TO the welfare
OF the city or state or nation, the Jews have
always been Jealous and self-abnegsting in
their services.
But you cannot chain the mind enslavs
the feelings of a people. large number OF
Jews are longing and praying for peace, not
because they are opposed to government but
because they appreciate the misery and
wretchedness Of war. They have been told
by orators speaking in the name OF the
Socialist party that peace would come II
only they voice their protest. II Thousands
of them vote for Mr.. Hillqut il is not be-
cause they favor his version Of peace, or bis
idea as 10 what government should DO 10
bring about peace. but because they wish TO
express their feeling with regard 70 the i'm.
portance and the value Of peace. Probably
they are not used to thinking in political
terms; probably they are not statesmen; bu.
they think it proper in democracy to eX
press what they think with regard TO those
issues that leaders of public opinion present
10 them for their decision They know what
conscription means from their experience
with il in Russia. where the Jews out of pro.
portion to their numbers were compelled to
send their young men into the army, where
their religious scruples were ignored and
their rights trampled upon. II is because
country exactly what Il meant in Russia
that they so vehemently oDpose the draft
The fault is not theirs that they do not
understand. but with those men and women
IN the Socialist party who have deliberately
confused their minds and given them a wrong
Interpretation Of the issues involved in the
war and of the implications of the draft.
Mr. Hilquit knows very well that he is
appealing to the elemental feelings Of the
Jewish voters OF the East Side, and not to
their reason otherwise he would not use
arguments as to peace which are absolutely
unfounded, for he knows very well that as
Mayor of the city he cannot in any way
affect the decision OF the war II is not
because the Jews Of the East Side are on
posed to good government that they are yot-
ing for Mr.. Hilouit. On the contrary they
think that GOOD government NAV also com.
from Mr. Hilcuit Their vote for him, how
ever. will merelv indicate that the Jews wish
to express their ideas as between war and
peace. without any desire or their psr.
actively 70 affect the decision OF government.
or actively to influence the preparations for
the war and the sacrifices that arc 10 be made
in order that Il be successful.
Il is, therefore. a bit of race prejudice that
has promoted Mr.. DOUGLAS 70 write hi,
article i is an attemDt on his part 10
threaten the Jews with dire consequences N
case .hev vote for Mr. Hilquit. The Jews
ere proud people. and Mr.. DOUGLASS way
is Just the way 10 proceed in order 70 nave
them vote for Mr.. Hillouit. As one who IS
interested in the success of Mr.. Mitchei
! think il necessary for his MANAGERS to re-
pudiate men like Mr. Douglas. who spread
their views in the public press at this time
to the dctriment Of the Fusion campaign
New York. Nov. !. 1917 LOUIS LlPSkf,