New-York tribune., 1921-02-08
John Spargo Explains
The Cock and Bull Story" b'5sa
Secret Conclave"
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: l beg the courtesy Of ), .
columns for a personal statement.
With reference to the protest againa.
anti-Jewish propaganda in this copE-
try, recently published, for which {
was solely responsible, the Jew-bzi zi,-
ing organ of Henry Ford, The Der
born Independent, publishes a fan.
tastic explanation According t.
this story, there was secret consul
tation of leading Jews in. New York,
which / attended and at which / was
with great difficulty persuaded to
undertake the Jewish defense, after
had told the Jewish leaders q lot OF
unpleasant truths. It is suggested
that if I could only be induced to say
publicly what told this secret
gathering of Jewish leaders there
would be a sensation.
The protest against anti-semitism
was initiated by me without consulta-
ton with anybody, either Jew or
Christian. 1t was privately printed, ss
my own expense, and submitted to
many influential non-Jews before any
person of Jewish birth or belief knew
Of its existence. After it was printed
and was in private circulation. and
had been signed by many represents
tive men and women, l mentioned The
matter to a few friends gathered IN
one Of the downtown clubs.
The circumstances were as follows
A group of gentlemen, Christians and
Jews, were lunching together and dis
cussing the alleged predominance Of
Jews among the Russian Bolshevlki
Because of my interest in the subject
was invited to join the party.
previous engagement making it i'm
possible for me to be at the luncheon,
arranged to join the group after
luncheon for as much of the converse
tion as the time at my disposal per
mitted. Those present were Melville
E. Stone, of The Associated Press;
Oscar S. Straus, Rabbi Wise, jerome
Landfeld, of the American Russian
Chamber of Commerce; Louis Mar
shall and myself-thrce Jews snd
three Gentiles. All of the gentlemen
named, with the exception of Mr.. Mar
shall, were old personal friends.
In the course of general discus-
sion, and in response to question,
gave the result of my Investigation
into the subject of the alleged JewiS'
among the leaders Of
Bolshevism. Incidentally / remsrkee
that in my judgment the Jews nesd
not bother to defend themselves
against the vicious and silly charges
being spread broadcast by The Dear
born Independent and other anti
Semitic agencies; that they could FeH
we'll leave the matter to be dealt Wisa
by their non-Jewish fellow citizens
whose sense of decency and fair ps
would, | felt certain, inspire them 70
vigorous protest against a movemsa'
which is an affront to American idsais
and to Christian civilization. Do Hos
know whether this is the "secret Goa
sultation" of Jewish leaders refenes
to or not. ! do know that it is me
only gathering of any kind which
have attended at which the suelse'
has been even broached.
1t would not be worth while psyint
any attention whatever to this stap'.
cock and bull story, and ] should my
think of honoring it with such as'sn
Jon were it not for the fact thai
he story of secret gathering =
Jewish leaders is not eontradietea
nay take its place with the legena =
he other secret conclaye of Je"lsa
eaders associated with ths protocols
JOHN sPARGo.
Boston, Mass, Feb. 5. 1891.