Jews in the Armies of Europe
The purpose of the present volume, as its title indicates, is a review of the record and the status as patriot, soldier and citizen of the American Jew. But the Jew is co-extensive with civilization, not only historically but geographically as well, and wherever civilization makes its way, there the Jew will be found exerting a positive influence in furthering its progress. He will be found at the nucleus and core of conservatism and order wherever order is akin to right, but he has never been wanting at the front of Revolution when wrong could no longer otherwise be righted.
Avoiding more than a passing advertence to Jewish military achievements in the beginning of Israel’s history, in the later struggles against the Greeks and subsequently against the Romans; stopping but a moment to remember Joshua, and Gideon, and Deborah, the successive Maccabæan heroes, and the last desperate struggle for freedom that was led by Bar Cochba against Hadrian; passing down through all the martyrdoms of the Dark Ages to the present “nineteenth century,” we come face to face with the fact that Jews have been present in European armies since the time of the Napoleonic wars. They were to be found in the ranks of all the combatants during that bloody prelude to the great political regeneration that is yet going on before us, and they have risen as far above the ranks as the prejudices of the Christianity-professing majority would admit.
In the successive Polish uprisings, in all the great political upheavals of 1848, and especially in the Hungarian revolution of that time, the Jews of their respective nationalities took a vigorous and aggressive part.116 Their position in this regard was so positive and unmistakable that when those great socio-political disturbances had been quieted through the partial concession of popular rights by the monarchies of Europe, the Jews of Germany and Austria had reached a position where they could logically demand their political enfranchisement and the abolition of the mediæval restrictions which remained imposed on them. That they did not obtain a full measure of citizenship until after the establishment of the German Empire in 1871, is indeed true, and even yet the spirit of the Dark Ages is so far prevalent in Germany and in Austria (leaving Slavic Europe out of consideration as not yet modernized) as to preclude the advancement of Jews to the higher posts of the army. In France, however, since the French Revolution, and in Italy since the consolidation of the Kingdom, Jews have been advanced to the highest military commands. In both countries and especially in France, several Jewish soldiers at present hold the rank of General of Division, and quite a number, proportionately, that of Brigade and Regimental Commander.117
Footnotes
116... “It is a gratifying proof of progress that the President of the Magyars (Kossuth) has promised freedom to those who equally with himself are struggling for the independence of their country, since it is said that there are no less than 35,000 Israelites in the Hungarian army.” Extract from a French newspaper reprinted in “The Occident,” August, 1849. Phila.; Edited by Isaac Leeser.
... “It cannot be denied that already at that time the majority of the Magyar Jews were patriotically inclined towards the country which they called their home. As by magic, they felt themselves drawn towards the man who preached liberty and equality, and at whose hands they were expecting redemption from the Ghetto and from civil and political degradation. As a matter of fact, thousands of Jews, among them a general, fought in the Magyar army.... The contribution which the notorious Haynau levied upon the Jewish congregations was but a consequence of the loyalty to the man of the New Era, attributed to the Jews.” Dr. Adolph Kohut on “The Relations of Kossuth to the Jews,” in the American Hebrew, N. Y., March, 1894.
To the above may be added the following testimony of General Julius Stahel, one of the active participants in the Hungarian Revolution, and who subsequently made a distinguished military record in our civil war.
New York, May 22d, 1895,
Hon. Simon Wolf, Washington, D. C.,
Dear Sir:
I know from personal knowledge that many Jews fought in the battles for the independence of Hungary in 1848, with as much bravery and gallantry as the American Jew fought here during the late strife between the North and the South, and I also know that the late humane and illustrious apostle of liberty, Louis Kossuth, always fully appreciated the patriotism, loyalty and devotion of the Jews to the cause of Hungary during that great struggle for freedom.
Patriotism and bravery are not the birthright of one nation or race, but of all mankind.
Very sincerely yours,
J. Stahel.
117 Referring to a newspaper item regarding the rumors of a duel between Capt. Cremieux Foa, a French cavalry officer, and a certain anti-Semite editor of a Paris newspaper, General Franz Sigel wrote as follows:
The part played by the Jews of Europe in all the various avenues of progress need not detain us here. The recurrent ebullitions of unreasoning prejudice against them which become manifest from time to time, are ultimately traceable as but distorted expressions of the unrest which the European social organism is suffering under its abnormal political and economic conditions. What there is left of this spirit on American soil is but a reflex of that of Europe, but there, as here, the record made by the Jewish people in politics and in war, in commerce and in industry, in science, art and literature, has placed beyond question their position as patriots, soldiers and citizens.
New York, May 31st, 1892.
Hon. Simon Wolf, Washington, D. C.,
Dear Sir:
Not knowing whether you have seen or will see the inclosed item, I send it to you. It shows at least that there are no less than 300 Jewish officers serving in the French army, probably the highest number in any of the great European armies, which speaks well for France and her republican government.
Hoping that you are well, I am,
Truly yours,
Franz Sigel.