SIR JOHN SIMON

Evening Post, Issue 67, 17 September 1934, Page 9

SIR JOHN SIMON

BIRTH AND ANCESTRY

JUST ORDINARY BRITON

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, August 7.

A statement by Sir John Simon regarding his birth and nationality must have come as a surprise to very many people. • Even among ■well-informed circles there was quite a large proportion who believed him to be a Jew, and thought none the less of him for that.

Now, however, Sir John has written a letter to Sir Archibald Hurd, who had brought to his notice statements which have been current in this country as well as abroad for some time that Sir John,is of Jewish origin, and that his ancestry has powerfully influenced the policy of the National Government since he became Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Secretary's letter reads: "Dear Sir Archibald, —I know there are a number of people who industriously spread the rumour that I am. a Jew, and even that my Jewish associations liavo an influence on the foreign policy of the country. In fact, I am just an ordinary Briton of Aryan stock'without any Jewish admixture whatever. My mother comes from an old English family and my father was Welsh—you will find lots of Simons in Pembrokeshire—and nobody who knew my relations and forbears would imagine that they were Jewish. Biblical snrnamos like Matthew and John and Mathias are a commonplace in those parts. Tho only reason for which I have never hitherto attempted publicly to deny this rumour is that I think the same silliness or malice might attempt to distort the denial into some sympathy with anti-Semitism —an attitude which I regard as. un-English and which I utterly condemn., I count among my friends some English Jews whose British outlook and patriotic services should put their critics to shame, and I would not for tho world hurt their feelings or write as though their ancient and honourable lineage could be a matter for reproach. But if, in the circumstances you mention, you think it would be right and in the public interest to do so, you arc welcome to publish this letter." By special arrangement Center's tvorlit service, in addition to other special sources of Inffirniiillon. Is used in tho conrpilnlion of th<! nverseiis Intelligence ptinllslnMl in this issue, iind .all riphts therein in Australia no'l Kew jZcKlan'J are reserved. ,