Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-10
MESSAGES READ
TO B'NA| BIRTH
Roosevelt and Bankhead
Words on Democracies
Heard at Banquet.

Delegates to the 18th general con-
vention Of B'nai Birth last night were
given the assurance Of President
Roosevelt that this Nation remains
mistaken in its devotion to the ideals
and institutions Of democracy"
In the absence Of the President, his
son and secretary, James Roosevelt,
read the White House message at the
banquet honoring the retiring presi-
dent Of the Jewish fraternal order.
Alfred M. Cohen.
More than l, 900 delegates and guests
gathered at the Willard Hotel for the
affair. which climaxed the four-day
convention.
They also heard Speaker Bankhead,
broadcasting over an international
radio hook-up. assert that the die
tatorships are in far greater danger Of
perishing than the democracies.
Expressing his pleasure in extending
greetings to the B'nai Birth, President
Roosevelt. in his message. praised the
organization for its philanthropic
achievements and its "far-sighted I'M
derstanding OF the problems of the
younger generation"
Devotion to Democracy.
I'm the conflict Of policies and po-
litical principles which the world wit
nesses today" the message continued.
this Nation remains mistaken in its
devotion to the ideals and institutions
Of democracy.
Except in SO far as We deplore i'll
treatment Of human beings anywhere.
the domestic policies Of other nations
are Of no concern to the United States.
When. however. alien influences seek
to undermine the foundations OF our
institutions we become definitely con-
cerned.
This country. for its guidance and
for the guidance Of other nations If
they will follow 1t. has ever held aloft
the torch Of freedom. Our conception
OF freedom embraces complete liberty
OF conscience and Of thought, freedom
OF education, freedom OF the press, the
right of free speech and Of assembly.
On that conception of liberay all Of
our happiness as nation has been
built"
Contrasting the United States with
the totalitarian states, Speaker Bank
head said. While the position of the
relationships may become increasingly
precarious, the additionally demo-
cratic nations will weather the storm"
Safeguards TO Liberty.
He regarded as safeguards to liberty
the first 10 amendments to the Con-
stitution. As well as the right of the
majority Of the people under ORDERLY
processes to control and regulate every
detail both Of foreign and domestic
concern.
He offered as evidence that demo-
cratic institutions will not perish from
the earth" the fact that the democra-
cies Of the Western Hemisphere,
keeping company with the demo-
cratic institutions of Great Britain
and her commonwealth Of nations be-
yonds the seas. of Ireland, France.
the Scandinavian countries, Denmark
Switzerland, Czechoslovakia and
others, constitute a body of public
opinion invulnerable in their might
against the assaults of any or all
totalitarian states"
The speaker paid q tribute to the
Jews who aided in the Revolution.
naming specifically Haym SaIomon NJ
Philadelphia
The children of Israel" he said.
who since the dawn of history have
been sleepless sentinels on the from,
tiers Of freedom, will not now be
forsaken by those who share their
spiritual heritage"
Anti-Semitic propaganda is being
USED by Germany as an opening wedge
IN an attack on democratic principles,
Sigmund Livingston of Chicago, ma
tlonal chairman Of B'nai Births Anti
Defamation League, told the delegates
IN a special report earlier in the day,
Antl-Semitism has been the tool
IN the destruction of modern European
republics" he charged. "Anti-Semi-
tism and democracy are incompatible"
The democratic countries have be-
come the no mans land" in the bat
tie for public opinion, he said.
Denies Jews Are Communists.
The charge that Jews are Com
he asserted, Is the center Of
antl-Semitic propaganda today, add
ing:
The truth Is that Jews are not
Communists and do not promote Com
munism. There are Jews who are
Communists, just as Communists are
in every sect and group. The total
of all Jews who are Communists and