New-York tribune., 1918-03-15
The Jeuish
Disillusi0nn1ent
By D. NJ. HERMANN


o. demarcation we'll as the strongest
bulwarks of tradition. Opinions, ideas,
beliefs and sympathes change hands and
new ones arc born and established.
The Jews of this country, representing
Jewry of the whole world, are becoming
more pro-Ally day by day. 1t is gradual
evolution. From the sympathes for the Cen
trail Powers in the beginning they went
over to pacfsm, and now they are taking
such bellcose attitude toward the Cen
tral Powers that one may hear Jewish
fathers of the East Side of our metropolis
saying: II am glad my boy is fighting on
the right side" Such transformation is
worth considering
When war came in 1914 almost all inn
migrant Jews of this country. and good
many native Jews, sympathizcd with Ger
many. 1t was not because they did not
like England and France; it was rather be-
cause they hated Russian Czarism and this
hatred became the paramount issue They
knew that it German autocracy and
Junker arrogance which fathered modern
anti-Semitism, but they also knew that be-
tween two evils one should choose the les
They chose Germany
Almost million Jewish men participated
in the armies of Russia, England. France,
Rumania, Belgium, Italy Serbia and Mon
tenegro; still they prayed for the defeat
OF the Entente, knowing that victorious
autocratic Russia would crush whatever
might be left of Jewish life in Carbon.
Then came the revolution in Russia.
Freedom and equality to all were proclaimed
and the Jews decided that this war had
already brought about the greatest achieve
ment in history, liberty to Russia; hence
it is time that war cease. They heard
hp C1,,{io ,1oi, ,oL Lo
fundamental terms of peace, with no an
nexetons and indemnties, and that
Germany was ready to negotiate peace
on this basis. In consequence thereof they
became ardent pacifsts. Why more of the
horrors Of if the blessings of peace
could be obtained?
In their eagerness for peace they could
not even grasp the American point Of view
in this war, and thought the United States
ought not to have participated in the
great strife
But these opinions have in a short time
undergone a great change. The trend of
events has so turned the Jews toward the
Entente that it is not strange to hear from
an Austrian Jew in this country that he
would like to see the downfall of the Cen
trail Powers.
The Jews had already realized that Rus
sia was land of pogroms with the Car
and continued to be one with a so-called re-
publican government, and that the worst
that may befall Russia now would be the
domination of Germany and the probable
restoration of Czarism under Prussan in
fuence. The Jews have learned that the
greatest evil in the world is German autoc-
racy, and woe betide the race if German
power should prevail!
They realized that their only salvation
lies in the restoration of Palestine and in
its becoming legally assumed home for
prosecuted Israel They are convinced
now that the solution to the Jewish ques-
tion rests in a homo established on their
historical heritage.
Unless the Central Powers are crushed,
this hope cannot materialze The Jews
know that their future in Palestine can
have an enduring stableness only if the in
volatility of the rights of small nations
be firmly established Belgium must be
restored and fully compensated by the
cruel invader All this cannot be attained
unless Germany is defeated
Jews gradually realizing that the En-
tente Powers are practically fighting their
battles.
The Yiddsh press in this country is the
reflection of Jewish sentiment and thought.
The pro-Ally papers which bore the brunt
OF the merclless attacks of the pacifsts
and suffered in circulation and prestige.
are coming back to their own and are proud
ly procaiming the 81 told you So" The
"Forward," that notorious sheet, which ac-
tually preached sedition. is changing front
and is even becoming patriotic to America.
Men of the type of DR.. Mapnes, who were
idollzed for their fearless participation in
the quasi "Peoplc's Council," have lost
their popularity and are considered, if not
demaoogues, at least back numbers
Morris Hillquit, the Socialist candidate
for Mayor of New York on a pacifist plat
form, is expressing his eagerness to be
permitted to induce German workingmen
to begin revolution against Kaiserism.
The truth of the situation is beginning to
dawn upon the Jews everywhere.
Socialism, which was looked upon as the
panacea OF the world, is now, if not all
together despised, at least derided. for the
havoc it wrought in liberated Russia.
Only short time ago one would not dare
enter the confines of socialism and criti
else the tactics of Lcnine, Trotzkv and
their ilk Now you can hear bitter denun
citation against them in the hall of the
"Forward' building and even be applauded
for attacking their tactics
The synagogues are ringing with natri-
otto oratlons, and in evenings at home ar
ticles on American hercism on the battle
field are read in the Yiddish papers with
great cagerness.
The most important thing in the trans
formation is that socialism is quickly los
ing its hold on the unsophisticated. and a
sane view of things is the result.
American Jewry is rapidly coming over
to the side of the American government
which is fighting for the true democratjza.
tion of the world.