"We have stony hearts toward the living and we erect monuments of stone to the dead. A living memorial is the only kind worthy of living beings, whether they are with us here or have gone Beyond. Better name after him the street in or near which he lived than to erect some obstruction in stone, for the one comes into our life and the other we pass by carelessly. But better set to work the noble ideas which he had and do, as far as we may and can, that which he longed to do. Thus he remains in our lives, the living factor that he was, and the memory of him does not become part of a tombstone or a static statue." -- William Z. Spiegelman.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Tracking the Rise of Adolph Hitler

William Z. Spiegelman was one of the very first newspaper editors in the United States to start paying attention to Adolph Hitler.



The notice above was published in the very first edition (October 15, 1924) the Jewish Daily Bulletin, of which William Z. had just become the editor.



But the very first mention of Hitler as a serious threat came in a notice published by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (in London) on January 30, 1923.


"Hitler Threatens Jews, Americans, English"
Munich, Jan. 30 (JTA) –Adolph Hitler, the Bavarian Fascisti leader, made bold by his victory over the Bavarian Government in having demonstrations of the National Socialists permitted while the country was in a state of martial law, has been making speeches threatening Jews, English and Americans. 
With reference to the Jews, he said that no member of that Faith will ever be permitted to touch the National Socialists' banner. 
Addressing Fascisti meetings Herr Hitler declared that unless England and American intervene to stop France's action in the Ruhr, the "presence of British and Americans in Bavaria will not be tolerated". This threat was very enthusiastically received by Fascisti hordes. 
A gang of Nationalists raided the Regina Hotel seeking Jews. The diners were terrorized and it was due to the intercession of the manager that actual violence was prevented. 
The charge that Reichsvehr is supporting Hitler's forces occurs now and again in the liberal German newspapers. The Vorwaerts, Socialist organ, reports that Chancillor Cuno personally ordered the release of 300 Hitler men who had been taken into custody.
Note, by way of contrast, that the New York Times, according to its own records, only started paying attention to Adolph Hitler on February 28, 1925.

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