The Denver Jewish news., 1919-06-11
Ex- President Taft De-
clares He Is A Zionist
DISCUSS JEWISH QUESTIONS
FREELY, CONDEMNS POLISH
AND ROUMANIAN PERSECU-
TONS OF JEWS. WARNS
AGAINST ROUMANIAN DUPLI-
CITY.

CITY.
(rranslatcd for the Denver Jewish
News from the Day" Il Niddish
newspaper in New York. by Mr.. Sol
Wolf, of Denver.l
Mr.. L. NJ. Raskin secured the fol
lowing notable interview with Mr.. Taft
while they were travelling thru Penn
sylvania. Mr.. Taft expressed himself
freely on Jewish questions. Mr.. Nor
lis neaman accompanied Mr. Raskin.
Having introduced themselves to Mr..
Taft they asked him whether he would
object to give them his opinion regard
ing Zionism.
with pleasure" he replied. r'rhe
Zionist movement interests me very
much. The Jewish people may not
know it. 1t is a fact however that !
have always interested myself in the
Jewish race and its wonderful destiny.
! wrote an article recently of the Jews
how in spite of his suffering, perSecu-
tion and oppression he has endured
in all ages he is now as strong as
ever.
As to Zionism wish to say that l
have good many Jewish friends. most
of them Reform Jews. and nearly all
Of them are Anti-Zionists am per-
haps the only Zionist among Them he
said smilingly.
Mr.. Raskin tbcn asked: what was
their objection TO Zionism?'
Their main objection seems to he
their constant fear that their Amcri-
canism may be questioned"
do you think that there is any
contradiction between Amcricanism and
be coed Zionist and ut the same time
loyal American?''
Certainly" he answered. with re,is-
Eurance. America consists of various
nationaIities. Eacll.-af- them, has its
rational and spiritual center some
where else. and yet the war has proven
conclusively that they are all good
American citizens. / cannot see why
the Jews should not have their ma
tional cultural center in Palestine. DR.
d. Philipson. of Cincinnati. with whom
I discussed this matter. asserts ina;
Cne cannot belong to two nations at
one and the same time. Shall the
Jews renounce their race! The Jews
are n race. perhaps the strongest of all
! cause one drop of Jewish blood mix
ed on any other race plainly shows its
extraction. Nobody will criticize the
Jews for being a separate race. nor for
being drawn to the cradle of their race.
further believe that n spiritual CEN
ter for the Jewish people is not only
desirable but even necessary. My
friend. Max Pam. of Chicago, told me
that many Jewish immigrants of East
ern Europe are being demoralized be-
cause they have lost their old spiritual
atmosphere, IL and can not adjust them
/ selves to the new spiritual atmosphere.
| For such people spiritual center in
Palestine is certainly necessary. once
when speaking in DR.. Philipsons Tenn
lle.rI made these same statements.
My Reform Jewish friends almost con-
sidered me an anti-Semite. To he per-
fectly frank, / could never understand
the logic of the inti-Zionists. nor can
/ q u Inxx
! and not be Zionist.
As far as the American people are
concerned they are surely in full
sympathy with the Iionists' aSpirn-
lions. If l were in the White House
now, l would not hesitate to indorse
the Balfour declaration. There is no
doubt that in this regard America
agrees with England"
But the anti-Zionists claim" re-
marked Mr.. Neaman, THAT we Jews
are merely n Religious sect" How
can they say that" exclaimed Mr..
Taft with surprise 1.-The Reform Jews
are the best proof that the Jews are
n race and not a religious sect. because
in religion they are really Uuitar-
ians."
Desiring to hear Mr.. Iaft's views
on the pogroms in Poland, Mr.. Ras'
kin asked him why the American Gov
ernment is silent regarding the atroci-
ties committed against the Jews in
that country? Mr.. Taft replied: I'VE
haven't yet received the full reports
ihout the Pogroms in Poland. Yer the
to make us shudder. 1 can assure you
that have raised my voice and writ