Evening star., 1933-05-21
Bernard S. DeutSch Calls
Upon President to Make
Public His Attitude.
1000 DELEGATES ATTEND
CONGRESS SESSION HERE
Leader Cites American Precedents
in Asking Firm Stand Against
German Prosecutions.

toward the policy of discrimination
and intolerance practiced against Jews
in Germany by the Hitler government
by Bernard S. Deutsch, president OF
the American Jewish Congress, in his
address opening the twelfth session OF
the congress at the Willard Hotel.
The congress, from an expected gath
ering of about 400 Jewish leaders from
all sections of the country, last night
had grown to a gathering of nearly
1000 aroused Jews, intent upon making
the Washington congress sound Arlerl-
can Jewry's opposition to Hitlerism as
practiced against the Jews throughout
the world.
The congress- said Mr.. Deutsch, will
not desist in its efforts of moblliz1ng
public opinion until the Government
of the United States makes 1t clear
that the tradition of freedom. justice
and morality which has marked our
foreign policy in relation to the Cubans.
Armenians and the Jews in Russia still
lives"
I'VE will not desist," he shouted.
until our Government makes publicly
known its attitude toward the policy
Of discrimination and intolerance
against the Jews Of Germany"
Await U. S. Action.
Jews in America have been waiting
patiently for this Government to speak
out, he declared, adding: Great Britain
has spoken out and has found the op-
portunity to do so despite the equally
heavy burdens which rest upon it."
Since our great English speaking
power has made known its condemna-
ton CT prosecutions of German Jewry
In unmistakable terms, the Jewish citi-
anxiously and patiently for cur Gov
ernment to speak out" he continued.
Further. he said:
Can it be said that the burden which
weighs On the Government of the United
States Is hea vier than that resting upon
the British government? Can it be said
that the British government is less
sensible to the vital Importance of
restoring world prosperity and estab-
fishing International comfy? Yet the
British government has spoken out. Not
once, but many times.
I'VE wait the word of our Govern
ment. When will President Franklin
D. Roosevelt join the illustrious line of
those who wrote an imperishable record
of humanity into the history of the
United States? When will he associate
himself with the vigorous stand for
justice and humanity taken by former
Presidents Grant, Harrison, Hayes
Theodore Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson,"
Not In Germany Alone.
The situation of the Jew in Germany,
he declared, cannot be severed from the
whole picture of internal conditions in
that country. pointing cut:
1T cannot be severed from the situa-
ton of Germany as whole. 1t must
be made part of international con-
siderations now closely in the offing.
I'VE have heard the chancellor of
Germany proclaim to the world that
Germany desires peace. the peace of
equality, security and dignity. We have
followed with amazement the spectacle
OF the press lulled into relief by Herr
Hitlers statements.
How can Hitler's pledge Of faith be
given and accepted IN good faith when
in Germany he is waging war against
a minority of the population solely on
the ground Of their religion and race?
This alone raises an inSuperable bar
rier to amity and accord among ma
tions.
I'VE call upon the world to demand
deeds, not words from Hitler, in token
of his good faith. We affirm that mu-
tual confidence will not prevail among
the council of nations until the Jews
are restored to status Of equality
with all other inhabitants of Germany. y
Mr.. Deutsch deplored the attitude of
inaction displayed by some of the men
and women who have been regarded as
leaders of Jewry in America.
Leaders Criticized.
1.-THE tragedy" he said, which has
descended upon German Jewry is the
elimination of 13 years of propaganda
and blind hatred militantly preached
by leaders of the party which has now
become the master of Germany. Its ef-
fects are the more sweeping because
in all these years in which the present
German policy has been forming itself
its implications were misunderstood and
the consequence underestimated by Jews
Of Germany and equally by some of the
so-called leaders of Jewry in the United
States. We of the American Jewish
Congress repeatedly brought home to
the Jews of Germany and to the lead
ers of American Jewry the threat to the
safety Of German Jewry current and
future, constituted by Hitlerism. In
reference from abroad is not desired
was the answer we received Today,
alas, the verify of our position is being
all too tragically illustrated in Ger
many
These so-called leaders have adopted
a policy almost tantamount to a be-
trayal of German Jewry. Further they
are guilty of sabotage against American
Jewry. Not content with advocating
their own viewpoint. they have played
into the hands of our enemies by de-
liberately striving to create the impres-
sion through the public prints that a
controversy is dividing the ranks Of
American Israel.
we can understand why Jewish Or
ganizations in Germany issued denials
of acts of violence; we can understand
why Jewish organizations state that
they do not wish the outside world to
intercede in their behalf. We can un-
derstand because, thanks to courageous
newspaper correspondents, We know OF
the terrorizatlon which exists in Ger
many today. We, however, cannot
understand why these gentlemen or any
other person or organization should
accept the words Of coercion or dictum
Tor their own actions"
Report Is Received.
Closing his address. Mr.. Deutsch sug-
gested that the grave situation In Ger
many may compel the convening OF a
conference OF spokesmen for Jewish
communities throughout the world be-
fore the Summer of 1884, when the
World Jewish Conference is scheduled
to convene.
. Should that hour come upon us, we
propose to take common counsel to-
gether according to the laws of democ-
tacy and Justice In a united front
Continued on Page 2, Column So.