The Denver Jewish news., 1925-06-11

con1mandant intrustcd the admins
tration of Jewish affairs in the occu-
pied regions. Under their supcrvis-
ion, an entirely new educational sys-
tom was innuguratcd The Yeshiboth,
and notably the famous sloboko Yes
hiba, were opened in the presence Of
q representative from Hindonbury.
These institutions were placed on n
secure financial basis. HndenburG
told DR.. Sondcrling that he must do
his very best to forter and further the
cause Of Jewish education, in order to
prevent the Generalization Of Jewish
youth. llindenburg did next to moth
ing for the education Of the Lithuan-
ian youth, but he did everything pos
sible for the development of sound
Jewish school system. Even those
Jews in western lands, and especially
in America, who considered Russian
victory preferable to German one,
had to admit that Hindcnburg sue
cecded in bringing some order into
the chaos into which Eastern Jewry
had been plunged after two years of
war.
In addition, Hindenburg, with the
help Of expert organizers, placed the
Jewish communities in the occupied
regions on n sound basis. He estab-
lishcd authority wherever it was
lacking; he reintroduced discipline
into Jewish life, and, according to
Sonderling, he displayed not only
deep interest in the Jewish problems,
but also keen understanding for
their solution. Ludcndorf, who was
the co-siEner of the famous manifesto,
never took an interest in Jewish af-
fairs, after the Russian borderlands
were seized II is true that during
military operations in the East, Lu-
dendorf showered iron crosses upon
Jewish soldiers and sang their
praises. But as soon as the war was
terminated, he placed himself at the
head of the anti-Semitic party in Ger
many. Hindenburg has done nothing
of the sort He has never showered
iron crosses upon Jewish soldiers,
but, on the other hand, he has never
uttered a word that could be inter
preted as anti-Semitic. That consti
tutes the difference between Hinden-
burg and Ludendorf.
Hindenburg may not be brilliant
man politically, but he is settled
man, a conservative person, and not
apt to vacilliate in his views. While
at the head of the Eastern Division,
he became familiar with Jewish life
and Jewish problems, and has dis
played a considerable interest in all
matters Jewish. Since the end of the
war, he retired to Hanover, from
where he has never said or done any
thing that would make the Jew be-
lieve that he is their enemy.
Hindenburg is not philo-Semite; but
neither is he an anti-Semite. He is an
Oit obiulti anu a SlIitt uiStl lpiIldl IAN
hd is thus for law and order. By tenn
permanent, Hindenburg is peace
loving man, paradoxical though this
may sound. And we have no right to
assume t hat under Hinderburg's
regime, anti-Semitism in Germany
will assume still greater proportions.
1t is interesting to note that old
Hindenburg has at times given his
views on Jewish problems, because for
more than four years, he was in init
mate contact with Jewish life. A
deputation of Lithuanian Jews while
discussing local Jewish problems with
Hindenburg, happened. to say few
words about Zionism. The old man
listened attentively, and then re
marked that it was up to the Jewish
people, and, OF course, to the other
side (meaning the Entente). at is
primarily an internal Jewish problem.
If people is God-fearing and serious
minded, it can attain its goal, but
there must be unity first and above
everything else" He also advised the
Jews in the East to cultivate the
study of the Bible more.
Copyright 1925 by Seven Arts Syndicate