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President Woodrow Wilson Urges Americans to Donate to Support "Stricken Jewish People"
President Woodrow Wilson Urges Americans to Donate to Support "Stricken Jewish People"
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President Woodrow Wilson Urges Americans to Donate to Support "Stricken Jewish People"

WOODROW WILSON, Printed Document Signed, Proclamation re "stricken Jewish people," January 11, 1916, Washington, D.C. 1 p., 8" x 12.25". Expected folds; small stains near edges, not affecting text; very good.

"I, Woodrow Wilson...do appoint and proclaim January 27, 1916, as a day upon which the people of the United States may make such contributions as they feel disposed for the aid of the stricken Jewish people."

With this proclamation, President Woodrow Wilson responded to a Senate resolution to set a date for contributions to the American Red Cross to benefit the millions of "stricken Jewish people" in nations involved in World War I.

Excerpt

"Whereas, I have received from the Senate of the United States a Resolution, passed January 6, 1916, reading as follows:
"'Whereas in the various countries now engaged in war there are nine millions of Jews, the great majority of whom are destitute of food, shelter, and clothing; and
"'Whereas millions of them have been driven from their homes without warning, deprived of an opportunity to make provision for their most elementary wants, causing starvation, disease and untold suffering....
"'Resolved, That, in view of the misery, wretchedness, and hardships which these nine millions of Jews are suffering, the President of the United States be respectfully asked to designate a day on which the citizens of this country may give expression to their sympathy by contributing to the funds now being raised for the relief of the Jews in the war zones.'
"And whereas, I feel confident that the people of the United States will be moved to aid the war-stricken people of a race which has given to the United States so many worthy citizens;
"Now, therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States, in compliance with the suggestion of the Senate thereof, do appoint and proclaim January 27, 1916, as a day upon which the people of the United States may make such contributions as they feel disposed for the aid of the stricken Jewish people."

Historical Background
On January 5, 1916, Senator James E. Martine of New Jersey introduced this resolution in the United States Senate and asked for unanimous consent. When Senator William J. Stone of Missouri asked that it lie on the table until the next day, Martine responded, "I feel that there is no race on God Almighty's footstool that has been more persecuted and spat upon that this race of Jews; and yet, during all this time, they have maintained their dignity and self-respect.... This resolution can take but little time; and it does seem to me that if there ever was a time when sympathy was fitting and apropos, that time is now." When Stone protested that he had no issue "on the question of sympathy" but asked "for prudential reasons" that the resolution lie on the table until the next day. Martine acquiesced, declaring that he knew Stone's "heart is as big as mine and that he is just as sympathetic."

On January 6, Martine again raised the resolution, the secretary read the resolution, and Martine asked for its adoption. Stone again spoke, explaining that the resolution was similar to one offered by Senator John W. Kern of New Jersey in December 1915 regarding the Polish people. Stone explained that he thought both resolutions were appropriate because "the Poles and the Jews of Europe have no distinctive government of their own. Their position is anomalous." However, he would "question very much the propriety" of such resolutions for "any of the organized nations engaged in war." Stone concluded, "I hope the resolution will be adopted," after which it was adopted.

Newspapers throughout the United States published President Wilson's proclamation in response to the Senate resolution. Local and state political leaders, including many governors, also issued their own statements or proclamations, encouraging citizens to contribute generously to the cause. Local rabbis sometimes served as collecting agents to forward contributions to the American Red Cross in Washington. The effort on "Jewish Relief Day" raised $2 million.

On February 17, 1916, representatives of the Central Committee for the Relief of Jews Suffering through the War, organized in October 1914, and the Women's Proclamation Day Committee visited the White House and presented President Wilson with a certificate commemorating Jewish Relief Day. Just over a year later, the United States entered World War I on the side of the Allies.

Thomas Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) was born in Staunton, Virginia, and graduated from the College of New Jersey (Princeton University) in 1879, attended the University of Virginia Law School, and received a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University in 1886. He taught at Bryn Mawr College (1885-1888), Wesleyan University (1888-1890), and Princeton University (1890-1902) before serving as president of Princeton University (1902-1910) and governor of New Jersey (1910-1913). Wilson won the presidential election of 1912, when William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt split the Republican vote, and Wilson became the 28th President of the United States in March 1913. As the first southerner elected president since Zachary Taylor, Wilson brought to the office a progressive zeal for reform, both economic and social, and stressed individualism and states' rights. He is perhaps best known for leading the United States into World War I, despite an election vow to do otherwise, and for helping to negotiate the resulting Treaty of Versailles, for which he was awarded the 1919 Nobel Peace Prize. Although he helped create and championed the League of Nations, Wilson could not obtain Senate approval for U.S. membership.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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