The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle from Milwaukee, Wisconsin • Page 1

CTOSTf WISH PrO: for the Je slrJxne BUY niitn mm AWeeMy PapSix Vol. 53-No. 9 Kntered as second-elans matter at the postofliee of Milwaukee. under the Act of March 3, 1879. MILWAUKEE, APRIL 28, 1944 Per Year $3 KFICTOST rrATB Woe 1 U.

S. General Decorates Jewish Submarine Commander in Russia Polish Court Martial Finds Jewish Soldiers escaped from Vilna, Cracow and REFUGEE BOARDS FUSE OPERATIONS IN RESCUE WORK Plans for Immediate Help Worked Out, Sir Herbert Emerson Declares Guilty of Stettinius Reported Discussing Palestine Question in London London (JTA) The that the Palestine question was touched upon by Assistant Secretary of State Edward R. Stettinius in the course of his conferences with British statesmen here, was expressed here in well-informed circles. The problem of Palestine will also come up for discussion at further talks between Stettinius and British officials, it was predicted. The final communique which will be issued as a result of these talks, however, is not likely to include any mention of Palestine it was stated.

Arab Students Study Jewish Settlements Jerusalem (JTA) A delegation of Syrian students, accompanied by their teachers, visited the Jewish settlements of Dan to observe the agricultural techniques of the Jewish colonists. In an informal address, one of the Arab teachers said that the Syrians had heard of the accomplishments in the Jewish colonies and felt that there was much the Arabs could learn from them. Arabs and Jews, he stated, can live together peacefully and cooperate in their country's developments as do people of different races in Switzerland and America. Board of Deputies of English Government of Prison Sentences Tribunal MOSCOW BROADCASTS SHARP ATTACK ON POLISH VERDICT London (JTA) The British Government was urged this week to intervene to secure a review of the sentences of one to three years imprisonment meted out hy a Polish court martial to about 30 Jewish soldiers who were charged with "deserting" from the Polish Army, because of anti-Semitism there and seeking to transfer to the British forces. A rpsnlntm aHnntod Vw i DINNER OF JUNIOR HADASSAH MARKS 20TH ANNIVERSARY Annual Donor Dinner Will Be Held Wednesday at Schroeder Hotel DR.

HARRY S. MAY TO BE GUEST SPEAKER Junior Hadassah will bring its National Fund raising campaign to a close with the annual donor dinner to be held at the Schroeder Hotel on May 3, at 6:30 p. m. The guest speaker for the evening will be Dr. Harry S.

May, director of the Midwestern area of the Zionist Organization of America. Dr. May was born in Berlin in 1912 and received his early education in Germany. He later secured his degrees from the Frederick Wil-helm University of Breslau, the college of St. Johannes and his DR.

HARRY S. MAY Ph. D. at the University of Prague in 1938. Since hi3 arrival in this country, Dr.

May has worked as lecturer, rabbi and teacher and has addressed labor groups, civic clubs and student bodies in schools and colleges throughout the Mid-dlewest and has talked to many church audiences. From 1940 to 1942, Dr. May occupied the pulpit of Temple Beth El in Sedalia, Missouri and in 1943 he received a diploma of the International Ly- (Continue- on Page 8) -y I IMIIMUl-lllUHIM--- lllimHIIIIIHIM1MIlll1IIMIHIIiWiinrilW Moscow (JTA) Captain Israel Fisanovitch, noted Jewish submarine commander of the Red Fleet, who destroyed many German raiders which were attempting to intercept American and British convoys to Russia, has received an American decoration, it was disclosed here when a photograph of a U. S. general awarding him the decoration was placed on exhibition at the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee.

Graphs displayed at the exhibition show that 32,000 Jews are among the 1,500,000 soldiers and officers of the Russian Army decorated for bravery. Jews occupy fourth place among the various nationalities in the U.S.S.R. which have distinguished themselves at the front. The graphs also show that Jews are third among the 900 fighters who have been given the "Hero of the Soviet Union" award, which is one of the highest mili tary decorations. Jewish War-Orphans Will be Reared in Biro-Bidjan The exhibition was arranged in connection with the third annual convention of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee, which was at tended by 150 delegates from all parts fo the U.S.R.R.

as well as from Jewish refugee groups who Jewish Service By J. S. OME time ago I happened to queue up for a ticket to a football match. In front of me was a Canadian soldier, a private. After having read my evening paper, including the sports columns and the court stories, I was still a long way from the box where the tickets were sold.

I then took out from my pocket a Hebrew journal and looked into it. The Canadian in front of me made a half turn in the meantime and looked intently at my Hebrew paper. I took it that the strange characters drew his attention. It often happens so when one is reading a Hebrew or Yiddish paper in a public place. My Canadian kept on looking at the paper and then he spoke up in very good Hebrew: "Would you mind letting me have a look into your paper?" To cut the story short he turned out to be a Jew from Lithuania.

He went to Canada some fifteen years ago. He learned his Hebrew in Lithuania, and we had even the same teacher for Hebrew, though in different times. I tell this story because it is not an isolated case. I often hear from friends about their similar encounters. Men in uniform address them in Hebrew or in Yiddish.

Sometimes they inquire in English or French, whether their neighbor on a train or a "bus" happens to be a Jew. They usually need nothing and ask for nothing. They simply want to talk to a Jew, or to get some news about Jewish life. There are Jews in all the Allied armies, in some of them a fair number. They have their leave, come to town and look for a "Jewish atmosphere," as they usually term it.

This is particularly true about Jewish soldiers whose homes i are in cities with a large Jewish ials which have been gathered in the United States. In addition, Mr. JNatnan, with a number of associates will shortly travel to Palestine to conduct a personal investigation there and in the Middle Eastern areas, for the purpose of obtaining first-hand information and a realistic insight into the related problems. The American Palestine Institute, for which the survey is made, is an organization incorporated in 1942, as a membership corporation in the State of New York for the purpose of conducting research into the economic potentialities of Palestine and the Middle East, and disseminating economic information concerning this area. The In stitute is a non-political, non-profit organization, which is not affiliated with any other organization and is financed by private contributions from individuals.

By the provisions of the contract, Mr. Nathan and his associates have complete independence in conducting this study and in the formulation of the findings. In announcing jthe survey, Mr. Nathan emphasized the fact that it is not an official government project, and that the survey is not concerned with political matters. "While it is recognized that political considerations are very important in determining policies concerning the future development of Palestine and 'the Middle East area, these political considerations are regarded as outside the scope of the present survey, which is designed to deal solely with the economic aspects' of the subject," Mr.

Nathan said. Lwow. The convention concluded with the sending of a letter of thanks to Marshal Stalin "for saving 3,000,000 Jews" from the Nazis and with the election of new exe cutive officers. Speaking in behalf of the Jews of Biro-Bidjan, delegate M. Kush-nir disclosed that this year the Jewish autonomous region will adopt 3,000 Jewish war orphans whose parents have been killed by the Germans.

"Next year we may adopt even a larger number," he said. He also revealed that there is a possibility that Biro-Bidian may soon be opened to general Jewish immigration. "Such immigration did not and could not take place during the past years," he declared. It was revealed at the convention that the well-known and much-decorated General Jacob Kreiser, who is one of the leaders of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee, could not attend the convention, "because he is one of the generals now at work clearing the Germans out of the Crimea." Shakhno Epstein, general secretary of the Committee, addressing the closing session, estimated that 35,000 Jews are now fighting in the ranks of Marshal Tito against the Nazis in Yugoslavia. Clubs In London GOLDSMITH population, like New York, or Chicago, or Montreal, or Johannesburg, or Tel Aviv.

The problem of hospitality to Jewish soldiers is distinct from the problem of general hospitality to troops because of the Kosher diet and of the Jewish festivals. How is this problem being tackled in England? Chief Rabbi Sets Up Service Committee At the beginning of this war the, Chief Rabbi of the British Empire, Dr. J. H. Hertz, nominated a Jewish War Service Committee.

The main task of this committee is a spiritual one, so to say. It prepares lists of rabbis out of which the authorities Jewish chaplains to the forces. It also looks after the religious needs of Jewish soldiers, providing them (Continurd on Page 6) 1,500 RUMANIAN JEWS ON WAY TO PALESTINE PORT Called "Largest Single Evacuation of War" by Ira Hirschmann SOVIET DIPLOMATS HELPFUL IN RESCUE Washington (JTA) Ira A. Hirschmann, special representative in Turkey of the War Refugee Board, revealed that negotiations have been completed with the Turkish Government for the use of a Turkish passenger boat to take 1,500 refugees from the Rumanian port of Constanza to Haifa. He called it the largest single evacuation of the war.

Hirschmann, just returned from Turkey, told a press conference that the "S.S. Tari" would make the trip as soon as safe conduct has been granted for the voyage by the Germans. He declared that the Soviet Government granted a safe conduct for the Tari this week, and that the Turkish Government has already announced its agreement to the refugee mis sion. Asked about possible Russian aid in rescuing Jews from the Balkans, Hirschmann declared that Soviet diplomats in Ankara had been very helpful and had further expressed a desire to do everything they could to assist in the current efforts. Hirschmann quoted Russian officials as having given full assurances that the USSR would do everything to assist those refugees who came into their hands in the course of the Red Army advances.

He described the condition of refugees in the Balkans as "indescribably bad and bordering on the catastrophic." "The President's action setting up the War Refugee Board," Hirschmann said, "came at about five minutes to twelve. But it had an electrifying effect on both the victims of Fascism and the people who are trying to deal with the problem." Before the conference got under way, John W. Pehle, director of the WRB, praised Hirschmann for the tremendous contribution he had made toward easing the tragic situation in the Balkans. Pehle said that Hirschmanri's leave of absence from Bloomingdale New York department store, is up and he is reporting back to his firm, but he indicated that every step possible is being taken to see that Hirschmann stays with the War Refugee Board. Hirschmann listed as a major accomplishment of the Board, the safe removal of about 48.000 refu 99 British Jews Urges to Secure Review Imposed by Polish soldiers "I beat Jews in Poland 1 1 1 "11 JL JLl before the war, and will beat them upon my return to Poland, if any of them are still left there." Corporal Czeslaw Kaczorow, second in command of a platoon, refused to take any steps against a private, Jan Lis, who, in the presence of many soldiers, told a Jewish soldier: "I killed Jews in Poland, and shall kill you too on the first possible occasion." A polish corporal named Rozensky is quoted as having stated publicly in his barracks "I would like to kill five Jews, three Communists and two Ukrainians." Anti-Jewish verses ridiculing the Jewish people and their religion were constantly sung by a Polish bombardier, Ratajczyk who molested Jewish soldiers.

When asked by a Jewish flier to stop his anti-Semitic activities, he is quoted as having replied: "You dirty Jew. If we were not here, I would have finished with you long ago." Other testimony stated that after the first group of Jewish soldiers left the Polish Army and joined the British forces, the situation became even more difficult for those Jews remaining. Polish soldiers whispered among themselves that when the second front was opened, their first action would be to murder "any Jews that are still left in Polish units." YOUTH ORCHESTRA PRESENTS FIRST CONCERT SUNDAY proCeeds to be Turned Over to Jewish Welfare Board-USO DR. JULIUS EHRLICH TO CONDUCT PROGRAM A significant event in the cultural life of the Milwaukee Jewish community will take place on Sunday, April 30, at 8:15 p. m.

when the Center Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Julius Ehrlich, presents its first concert at the Electric Company Auditorium at the Public Service building, 231 W. Michigan street. The entire proceeds of the concert will be turned over to the Milwaukee Army and Navy Committee of the Jewish Welfare Board U.S.O. to further its work for local men and women in service.

Never before in the history of our community has there been an orchestra composed largely of Jewish youth which was capable of presenting symphonic works. The group, which was organized 4-V. T-Tn1 1'r in Tonuoru oTw. g5 lg Detween twelve and Wive years of age. De- veloped at the request of several of the musicians now in the Orchestra, the group will provide an excellent and much-needed training ground for those of our young people interested in music professionally.

Also, it will enable those who truly enjoy the pleasure of being together with others who look to music as an absorbing interest. The present policy of the group calls for the assistance of several professional musicians who act as coaches for the young people in their sections. This provides invaluable experience for those musicians who have had very little opportunity to play in orchestras. It is the community's good fortune to have as one of its residents Dr. Julius Ehrlich, who came to Milwaukee little more than five years ago from Europe with an outstanding career as a conductor behind him.

Forseveral years previous to his arrival in the United States, Dr. Ehrlich conducted orchestras and operatic works in Russia. Since coming to America he has conducted for the Columbia Broadcasting System, and it is through his efforts that the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Milwaukee Sinfonietta have been organized. This is the first experience that Dr. Ehrlich has had in working with a youth group in America, and it is interesting to note that his opinion about the Center Orchestra is that it will undoubtedly be one of the foremost youth musical units in the State of Wisconsin.

Since the or- (Contlntird on Pace li) "Desertion JOHN PEHLE APPOINTS AGENT IN SWITZERLAND Washington (JTA) Sir Herbert Emerson of the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees and John Pehle of the War Refugee Board issued a joint statement declaring that they have reached complete agreement on organizational relations and have "taken definite steps to increase the effectiveness of the efforts being made on behalf of the refugee group. The announcement was made at a press conference at which Sir Herbert indicated that the two groups have decided to keep each other informed and to give practical assistance to projects initiated by each other. "Furthermore," Sir Herbert said, "we have discussed very fully plans to help reiugees at once. The major job of the Intereov ernmental Committee for Refugees would be taking care of stateless persons, Sir Herbert disclosed. He implied that the job of helping refugees out of the Balkan countries can be better handled by the War Refugee Board, and that the Intergovernmental Committee would not participate in it.

He estimated that 95 per cent of the 25,000,000 displaced persons will be able to return to their homes after the war and paid tribute to the Joint Distribution Committee, the World Jewish Congress and the American Friends Service for their work for refugees in Europe. Mr. Pehle announced at the conference that the War Refugee Board has appointed a special representative in Switzerland. The appointee, Roswell McClelland, has been identified with the 4 American Friends Service Committee's refugee work in Europe since 1940. It was also announced at the conference that the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees has appointed Sir Clifford Heathcote-Smith, for 18 years British Consul-General in Alexandria as its representative in Italy whee thereare about 5,000 Jewish reiugees from Yugoslavia, Germany, Austria and Czechslovakia.

The Intergovernmental Committee also plans to appoint representatives in North Africa and Cairo, it was disclosed. Strictly BY l'HTNEAS J. BIRON Confidential Tid-Bits from Everywhere Inter-Allied Relations Plans are taking shape for the sending of an American Jewish delegation to the Soviet Union, under the auspices of the American Committee of Jewish Writers, Artists and Scientists The delegation, we're told, will include a prominent Zionist leader The first American entertainer-to put on a show for Marshal Tito's Yugoslavian guerilla troops was John Garfield, who has just returned from his jaunt overseas May 5th is the publication date for "My Lives in Russia" by Markusha Fisher, wife of Louis Fischer She picked that date because both her sons (no, they aren't twins) will celebrate their birthdays then Hugo Weisgal, son of Baltimore's cantor Abba Weisgal, is helping cement American-British relations Stationed in England with the American Army, he has on several occasions conducted the London Symphony Orchestra in Albert Hall, and is making a great hit over there In fact, Dr. Chaim Weizmann, after attending one of his concerts, got in touch with him to congratulate him and to invite him to conduct the Palestine Symphony Orchestra in some concerts after the war is over. Over Here We hope you didn't miss Frank Gervasi's recent article, in Collier's, on the Jews as fighters in this war Which reminds us to tell you that a correspondent reports that at the Shriners' convention at Kansas City last month there was a big parade, with decorated cars and all and one oi the cars featured a banner proclaiming: "Onward, Christian soldiers! Jews make uniforms" Boston's Police Commissioner Thomas F.

Sullivan, who last week admitted that the present anti-Semitic campaign in Boston is "an organized atttack," is trying to withdraw his statement WThat pressure is changing his mind for him, we wonder? Palestine Notes Washington political salons are these days entertaining Col. Vincent Sheean, author of "Personal History," now here on leave from Italy Sheean, who a few years ago spoke of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem as a fine and wise humanitarian, still is very pro-Arab He does his best, we hear, to convert pro-Zionist Senators and Congressmen to the anti-Zionist viewpoint The Mufti himself, you'll be glad to (Continued on Page 8) HUNGARIAN JEWS HERDED INTO 60 PRISON CAMPS All Jewish Enterprises Must Close Immediately, New Decree Demands EVACUATION OF JEWISH CHILDREN NOT ALLOWED Zurich (JTA) The transfer of Jews in Budapest from various sections of the city to "closed districts" is now in full swing, it was disclosed in a broadcast by Lazlo Endre, Hungarian Commissioner for Jewish Affairs. In the meantime, a curfew has been imposed upon Jews in the sections from which they are to be removed, prohibiting them from appearing on the streets between 7 p. m. and 7 a.

m. The Budapest radio also reported that in accordance with the decree liquidating all Jewish firms, all Jewish enterprises must close immediately. Their owners can enter them only to help the authorities in taking inventories. The only Jewish commercial estab- i man Vv t0 remam are those whose exigt ence is essential to the Hungarian war effort. They will be managed, however, by special government commissars.

Lazlo Baky, Hungarian Minister of Interior, in a statement issued to the press in Budapest emphasized that "the production and the national economy of Hungary will not be affected by the exclusion of Jews. There is no obstacle to the complete solution of the Jewish problem," he stated. He warrted that "appropriate wartime punishment will be imposed upon non-Jews cooperating with Jews in order to evade the confiscation of Jewish property." The mayor of Budapest was reported here to have issued posters under his signature announcing that Jewish children between three and fourteen years of age will not be evacuated from the Hungarian capital. The evacuation of non-Jewish children will continue as a measure of safety against Allied air-raids, the posters said. Hungarian newspapers reaching here carry a warning stating that "Jews who are using Mogen Dovid Badges made of white linen on the pretext that there is a shortage of yellow material," will be persecuted.

The papers also report that Jews will be expelled from membership in the National Federation of Hungarian Industrialists. Eyewitnesses Report on Anti-Jewish Measures Istanbul, Turkey (JTA) Sixty concentration camps in Hungary, established since the German occupation, are rapidly being filled with Jews, according to eyewitness accounts of travelers ar riving here from Hungary. They confirm that deportations of Jews to Poland are proceeding. Deportations are confined at present to prominent Jewish industrialists, well known members of the Jewish community who have incurred the enmity of pro-Nazi Hungarians and Jews active in anti-Nazi political parties. Other LJews are being sent to the con centration camps, although it is expected that they, too, will be deported when transportation facilities are available.

Among those arrested is Baron Alphonse Weiss, a member of the upper house of the Hungarian Parliament. Lazlo Endre, who was appointed Commissioner for Jewish Affairs last week, is known as a pathological anti-Semite, the travellers say. He has imposed restrictive measures upon the Jews which are more vicious than the usual German Nuremberg laws. At present, he is concentrating on ousting Budapest Jews from their homes to make room for Hungarians and Germans bombed out by Allied air raids. horrible, plague-ridden concentration camps in Transnistria to the interior of Rumania, where they would at least be free to shift for themselves and where the conditions were vastly improved.

He expressed the belief that the mechanism which has been set up and put to work in recent weeks would result in the rescue of many thousands of more people, provided military events did riot throw present plans completely out of of Deputies of British Jews, which represents the bulk of English Jewry, expressed "deep concern" regarding -the conditions in the Polish Army which culminated in the court martial proceedings and urged the British Government to consult with the Polish authorities so that "the findings of the court martial will be reviewed in light of the principles of the present struggle. PROF. SELIG BRODETSKY Meanwhile, the Moscow radio this week broadcast a sharp attack on the verdict of the Polish military court. The deputy president of the Polish National Committee in Moscow was Quoted as declaring that while thousands i Poles in Poland are helping Jews, the reactionary officers still com- manding Polish troops abroad are condemning Jewish soldiers. Polish circles in London pointed out that the sentences imposed by the court martial, while met in Scotland, are not final until confirmed by higher Polish military authorities.

They said that an official statement regarding the court's findings will be issued shortlv. The severity of the sentences, they alleged, resulted from the accused soldiers refusal to return to the Polish forces. Resentment of British Jews Reflected at Meeting of Deputies Even before the court's decision was announced, a delegation of 3,000 Jewish clothing workers had called on' Prime Minister Churchill, at his official residence 10 Downing street, to protest the mistreatment of the Jews in the Polish forces. They were unable to see the Prime Minister, but left a letter arguing the case of the Jewish soldiers. The resolution adopted by the Doaru o.

uepuues louowea a tur- ete yy mi ii ic.ii.bci iiic sentment which has been aroused in the Jewish community here by the court martial's verdict. Addressing the meeting of the Board, Prof. Selig Brodetsky, president, said that British Jews will not rest content until the rights of the Polish Jewish soldiers are fully safeguarded. He expressed doubts, in the light of the events of the past few years, that the Polish Government could guarantee that anti-Semitism would be wiped out among its troops, and demanded consequently, that the Jews be allowed to transfer. Disclosing that a high Polish official had told him this week that the details concerning anti-Semitism were "exaggerated," Prof.

Brodetsky said that a large section of the British people would feel happier concerning the situation if at least, neutral observers had been permitted to partake in the inquiries into anti-Jewish discrimination which the Polish Government announced it had made. Jewish Soldiers Testify at Court Martial The testimony at the trial quoted a Polish captain Lupa Mielmi-czuk as expressing high regard for Hitler, in front of his soldiers, "because Hitler is murdering the Jews." He added that "this is not the end as yet." Another officer, Capt. Hrekowski, warned a Jewish soldier under his command that "the time will yet come for the Jews." Lance-Corporal Nowakowsky is quoted as having stated to Jewish MfV-. i fe i American Institute Studies Palestine's Absorptive Capacity Robert R. Nathan Will Head Commission to Conduct Personal Investigation in Palestine and Middle East Washington (JTA) A survey of the economic potentialities of Palestine in the next decade is now being proposed by the American Palestine Institute under the supervision of Robert R.

Nathan, former chairman of the Planning Commission of the War Production Board, it was announced here. "Consideration will be given to both agricultural and industrial possibilities," the announcement said. While emphasis will be placed upon raw materials and other resources available within Palestine and in the Middle Eastern area, the investigation will also aim to indicate opportunities which may present themselves to manufacturers, traders and investors from other countries. Markets throughout the Middle East and elsewhere will be studied. "An analysis will be made of the capacity of Palestine to absorb new settlers; the rate of absorption of immigrants under varying assumptions; the related capital investment required; and the probable direction of economic development.

The report will be primarily, an economic appraisal, rather than an engineering survey. However, results of previous engineering surveys will be utilized, and the services of engineering consultants as well as industrial experts will be utilized," the statement emphasized. Staff of Economists at Work As part of the preliminary investigation, a staff of professional economists has for some time been engaged in evaluating all the available publications and other mater- gees from what he described as gear..