Fascists and Jews Four questions arise in connexion with Sir
Oswald, Mosley's Fascist meeting at the Albert Hall on Sunday. Are the Albert Hall authorities justified in (a) letting the hall for a Fascist meeting and (b) refusing (as they are reported to have done) to let it for an anti-Fascist meeting. The answer to (a) is Yes and to (b) No. Is the holding of a Fascist meeting in the Albert Hall• good reason for the arrangement of anti-Fascist meetings simultaneously in the vicinity. The answer is No, particularly when the police vetoed them in advance. Do Sir Oswald Mosley's attacks on the Jews tend to encourage physical assaults on individual Jews ? They no doubt had not that intention, but they may well have that effect ; Fascist attacks on Jews in the East End have already been severely commented on by London magistrates. Did the police use excessive force in breaking up the anti-Fascist meetings near the Albert Hall ? The evidence on the point is conflicting, but a stringent enquiry by the Home Office seems called for. The innate tolerance and decency of the average English- man is sufficient guarantee against any general anti- Semite movement in this country, but sporadic assaults on Jews are always possible, and it is vital that the police should justify the confidence reposed in them as impartial protectors of the peace. But the contrast between pacific Communists and violent Fascists is illusory.
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