GERMANY AND TIIE JEWS
[To the Editor of TUE SPECTATOR.] Sig,—AR undue emphasis is sometimes laid upon the Anti- Semitism of the German nationalists ; it represents, of course, only the negative aspect of the positive ideal of race-purity. It is true that it is believed that many of the troubles of post- War Germany are directly due to an excessive and baneful
influence of the Jews upon German public life. This hypo- thesis is genuinely credited. The evidence is fairly impressive. But it is a question which requires thorough investigation before it can either be accepted or rejected. It was, therefore, obvious that when the German nationalists won the confidence of the majority of the German people they would proceed to the work of eliminating this surplus Jewish influence from their public life.
This is an experiment which, presumably, any Sovereign State is legally entitled to make. But it is an experiment which may entail either a maximum or a minimum of individual hardship and suffering. It is, of course, highly desirable that where individuals are " axed " they should receive such pensions as they are entitled to, and that pro-- sision should be made to enable them to earn a proper livelihood. In the poisoned and embittered atmosphere of mutual recrimination, which has been gratuitously created by the campaign of a certain section of our Press, the prospects of humane treatment for these " axed " German Jews have n reduced to a. minimum. Generous impulses are seldom evoked by calumny.—I am, Sir, &c., R. G. WAL.M.SLEr.
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