The Denver Jewish news., 1919-12-24
SERBIAN ATTITUDE TO JEWS.


the new premises OF the National
Jewish Society took place in the pres
cnce of representatives of the Ministry
OF Education and Religion. The very
fact that high Government Officials |
.,ere present at the ceremony is the
lest proof that the Serbs are tolerant
in respect both of faith and nation
ality. That spirit of liberation is ira
,litional with the Serbs, and it has now
been embodied in the new state of
Jugoslavia. Is there any wonder that
the Serbian nation which was itself
rcrsecuted is siding with those who
are prosecuted? And is there any
wonder that Little Serbia has follow
ed the way shown by Great Britain
by expressing her full sympathy with
the Jewish National Aims?
1t is to be deeply regretted that for
some time past an anti-Jewish agitation
has been carried on under the leader
ship of certain low elements from the
territory formerly belonging to Aus
tria. There is no doubt that there
are certain Jews whose conduct quite
deserves severe reprehension. But can
the Serbs claim that everything Is
completely unexceptionable among the
members of their own nation? Is 1t
Il good policy to hate whole nation
the members of which have shed their
blood for Serbia and haze always been
loyal citizens of the country, for the
faults of ten or a hundred? The ques-
ton is, where will that policy of jew
batting lead?
1t is one of the basic principles OF
civilized state that good relation
ship should exist between all its citi-
creating good relationship it is n
pleasant duty to congratulate heartily
the Jewish community on the occasion
Of the opening of the National-Jewish
Society, one of the main aims OF
which is to create good relationship |
between the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes
on tile one hand and the Jews ON the
other.
If the Jews sincerely offer the hand
of friendship it is the duty of the
SERBS to accept it. And If this offer
were not accepted, to wnat would IL
lead? Such u refusal would undoubt-
edly ALLEVIATE the jewish citizens.
whose intelligence and industry rep
resents an important asset to Jugo-
slavia. The country must know ana
fully understand that wherever the
Jews have been treated fairly they
have become friends of the nations
lmong whom they live. Great Britain
md U. s. A. offer striking example
# how beneficial Jewish friendship
nay be.-ZiOnist Bulletin.
If the rumOr aflOat je true that the
american Zionist Organization is nnNi-
,us to follow the example of the Amer
can Jewish Relief Committee and to
,rganiZe non-sectarian drive, then
american Jewry should lose no time
n disappearing this plan and every
hing comparable with good manners
iOuld be done to prevent the carry
ng out of such plan. We may or !
nay not be right in asking the Gen
lies to help us support our starving
,rcthren across the ocean; but we GER
ainly have no right To ask them to
contribute financially to the establish
nent of Jewish state in Palestine.
We do not want to discuss here the
possibility of the realization of Zion
SIN at the present juncturc, but we
wish to say so much tnat whether IL .
$ possible or not, it is in any case
purely Jewish affair and if support
d, should be supported by Jews only,
We have especially no right to ask {
american Gentiles to give money for
.ionism. The American people and [
have treated us right and s
ave given us every opportunity to de- I
-elop our abilities and our energies
n this country. They do not ask us i
o leave it, and they certainly do not
10 anything that may induce lis to
cave the country. If people is anxi-
,us to establish state of its own, it
must pay the bill itself and cannot
nd should not make others pay it.
f the Zionists want to materialize
heir program they must carry the ,
burdens and they must get
heir funds necessary for the carry
ng out of that program, from the
ewish people only, 1t is simply i'm
moral to ask GentiIes to contribute to
eneral Zionist funds and it is indecent ,,
o ask Americans to do it The sooner ,
he American ZiOnists realize this and /,
he sooner they drop this immoral plan.
he better for both parties concerned.
should they however deem it advisable
o go OH with their plan, it is the pain .