Evening star., 1939-06-16
Rabbis' Farley Asks
Neutrality Act Change
To Brand Aggressors
Would Have U. S.
Define ,Treoty-Breoking,
Treoty-Keeping Motions

Revision of the Neutrality Act to
make a clear distinction between ag-
gressor and innocent nations was
urged today by the Central Confer
ence of American Rabbis.
Rabbi Nathan Stern of New York
chairman of the conferences Com
mittee on International Peace, told
the 200 rabbinical delegates that,
while the "cash-and-carry" clause
allowing Americans Ito take none OF
the risks but reap all of the profits,
may be good business. it is hardly
good form from the standpoint OF
higher ethics"
In session at the Mayflower Hotel
the delegates adopted a resolution
calling for a distinction between
"treaty-keeping and treaty -breaking
nations" after hearing Rabbi Stern
declare that the present Neutrality
Act endangers the peace of this
country because the measure rep
resents an attitude of impossible
isolation and of moral indifference
which, If unchanged, makes certain
the further spread of international
lawlessness."
Arbitration Endorsed.
The conference, at the suggestion
of Rabbi Stern, reiterated its alb
horrence of war; indorsed a policy
of consultation, conciliation and
arbitration, and commended the
United States Government for its
refusal to recognize the legality of
Germany's conquest of Czecho-
Slovakia.
The delegates are to hear an ad-
dress tonight by Rabbi William H
Fineshrieber of Philadelphia on
'The Jew-The Perpetual Sacrifice
on the Altar of Freedom" They
will meet at the Washington
Hebrew Congregation temple.
A feature of tomorrow's program
will be ceremony at the Lincoln
Memorial. Rabbi Max C. Currick
of Erie, Pa, president of the con-
ference, will speak. A wreath will
be laid at the base of the memorial.
Plea for Unity Made.
A plea for unity among all re-
ligious denominations against forces
which threaten the existence and
freedom of religion, and which fos-
ter race prejudice in the present
desperately dangerous world situa-
ton was made last night to the
conference by Bishop James E.
Freeman.
No religious body can afford to
stand alone" Bishop Freeman de-
clared. THE situation is so grave
that there must be some kind of a
confederation of all forces that rep
resent religion on the American
continent to meet the present crisis"
Bishop Freeman addressed nearly
200 religious leaders and guests at
the golden jubilee dinner at the
Mayf1ower Hotel, marking the
founding of the conference by DR..
Isaac M. Wise in Detroit.
Bishop Freeman emphasized that
Judaism, Professionalism and Roman
ism must achieve solution of differ
ences within their own groups as
well as seek common unity.
I'VE cannot survive without unity
within denominations" he declared.
Task to Renew Courage.
DR.. Edward N. Calisch, a charter
member Of the conference, said, 1--WE
are the whipping boy Of brutalita-
rian governments. If We are de-
stroyed. democracy's citadel is de-
stroyed. Our task is to renew
our courage, to do battle for the
ideals Of democracy"
DR.. Max c. Currick, retiring pres
ldent of the conference, presided and
introduced the speakers. Greetings
to the conference were brought by
Robert P. Goldman, Union of Amer
ican Hebrew Congregations; DR.. ST.
mon Greenberg, Rabbinical Assem-
bly, Of Jewish Theological Seminary,
who also made a strong plea for
unity of religious groups; DR.. Julian
Morgenstern, Hebrew Union College;
Dr. Henry Slonimsky, Jewish Insti-
tute of Religion, and DR.. Louis Fin
kelstein, Jewish Theological Semi
nary.
DR.. Jonah B. Wise, son of the
founder, spoke following Bishop
Freeman's address, as did DR.. David
Philipson, Oldest member of the
conference and one of the charter
members, and DR.. Felix A. Levy.