“They own. you know, the banks in
this country, the newspapers. Just look at where the Jewish money is.” That heedless remark, evoking the cliches of hoary antiSemitism, was
the worst-aimed bomb of four-star Air Force General George S. Brown's
33-year military career. When it exploded last week, President Ford
called Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, into the Oval
Office for a ten-minute reprimand. New York Republican Senator Jacob
Javits demanded an investigation. Democratic Senator William Proxmire
of Wisconsin called for Brown's resignation. Brown, 56, a former bomber pilot, is known for firm opinions and candor
in expressing them. His troubles originated at a student forum at Duke
University Law School on Oct. 10. During a 40-minute period of
questions and answers in the student lounge, he was asked if the U.S.
had considered using force against oil-producing nations in the Middle
East. “I don't know,” he said, responding rather cautiously at first.
“I hope not. We have no plans to.” Too Casual. Then abruptly he went off on another tack and got into
trouble. “It would be almost as bad as Seven Days in May,” he said,
referring to the novel in which the military seizes power. “You can
conjure a situation where there is another oil embargo and people in
this country are not only inconvenienced and uncomfortable, but suffer.
They get tough-minded enough to set down the Jewish influence in this
country and break that lobby.” Speaking of the lobby, Brown said:
“It's so strong you wouldn't believe now. We have the Israelis coming to
us for equipment. We say we can't possibly get the Congress to support
that. They say, 'Don't worry about the Congress. We will take care of
the Congress.' Now this is somebody from another country, but they can
do it.” Brown then implied that the strength of the lobby was rooted in
the influence of Jewish-owned banks and newspapers. When the Washington Post picked up the exchange from the weekly Durham
Anvil last week, the White House, Pentagon and Congress were
deluged with letters and telegrams of outraged protest. The embarrassed
Brown issued a statement apologizing for his “unfounded and
all-too-casual remarks,” insisting that they “certainly do not
represent my convictions.” White House Press Secretary Ron Nessen
quoted Ford as calling Brown's comments “illadvised and poorly
handled.” Defense Secretary James Schlesinger termed the remarks
“unfortunate.”
