Jews in Spain: Assurance New State is Not Anti-Semitic Gratifies Rabbi

Julius T. Loeb, “Jews in Spain: Assurance New State is Not Anti-Semitic Gratifies Rabbi,” Washington Post (Washington, DC), March 26, 1939.

Jews In Spain

Assurance New State Is Not Anti-Semitic Gratifies Rabbi

To the Editor of The Post—

    Sir: In reading the letter headlined “Spain and the Jews,” by Joseph F. Thorning, in The Post of Wednesday, March 15, I felt myself greatly relieved from anxiety concerning the effect of Franco’s victory upon the status of Jews and other liberals in that country.

    It being an open secret that Nazi Germany and Mussolini are the main strength and support of Franco’s arms, the fear might justly be entertained that now, at the end of the country’s civil strife, Nazi-Fascism, which is identical with Anti-Semitism, would have full control over the situation in the new National Spain. 

    Dr. Thorning’s letter, however, is quite re-assuring, as it clears up some of the doubts and misgivings concerning the attitude of new National Spain toward the Jews. Though but few Jews are known to be among the regular residents of present-day Spain; nevertheless, the country may offer a fairly large field of commerce and trading interests for Jews and others, if Franco’s regime is not to be wholly dictated by Nazi-Fascist policies.

    Dr. Thorning, who speaks authoritatively in the name of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, tells of the ousting and imprisonment of Senor Caballero from office under the new national government because of his outspoken Anti-Semitism; also of the removal of other Anti-Jewish officials of state for the same offense, and which action is said to have been inspired by leaders of the Catholic Church.

    The writer goes on to say, that “friendship with the people of Latin America may properly be one of the many motives that call for early recognition of the sole, stable, orderly and peaceful government of Spain.” In this connection Dr. Thorning refers to an interview published in The Post with Dr. Maurice S. Sheehy, head of the Department of Religious Education at Catholic University, who, on the basis of extensive, first-hand information, asserts that 100,000,000 Catholics of South America entertain the same views on the Spanish issue that were held widely in the United States; namely, that complete religious liberty should prevail for Jews and Christians in Spain, as well as in this, our own free republic.

    The above disclosures may prove to be good news to the Jews, as well as to all Americans and peace-loving humanity. I personally do wish with all my heart to see an end to the bloody strife in Spain; and that at least, the Iberian Peninsula in Europe be safe for Democracy. 

    As for the Communists, they offer no problem; as with the united forces in new National Spain they could easily be disposed of. 

    Equally welcome is the message contained in a radio address by Dr. Sheehy (reported in the same issue of The Post), calling on all Christians to be mindful of their duty toward the Jews, whose heritage is maintained by the Church, and warning against the subtle agents of anti-Jewish propaganda. The late Pontiff’s declarations were cited in the message, pleading for an attitude of friendliness and good will between Jews and Christians. 

    It is historically true that many of the Popes of Rome were friendly toward the Jews, and defended them against their oppressors. And thus it is to be hoped that the new head of the Roman Church may follow in the footsteps of his liberal and noble-hearted predecessors, so that he may aid in removing disabilities of the Jews in Christians countries, in safeguarding minority rights everywhere, freedom and equality among all men and nations, and the establishment of permanent peace in the world. 

    One thing that remains to be seen is whether Francisco Franco (whatever his designation may be) is to yield up his dictatorship toward the establishment of an orderly and peaceful government that is a real Democracy, in Spain.

    RABBI J. T. LOEB.

    Washington, March 20.