Plan Campaign Against Granting Concession of Dead Sea to Novomejski

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

The first step in what promises to be a vigorous campaign against the granting of the concession by the British Government to Moses Novomajski and his associate, Mr. Tulloch. for the exploitation of the Dead Sea salts was made by the Near and Middle East Association at a specially coavoked meeting to consider Palcstine coneessions.

In his address before the meeting Lord Dainsford emphaszed that the concessionaires should not be allowed to ally themslves with the German Potash monopoly. The profits must be limited and Palestine inhabitants must share in these profits. he declared.

The Government’s replies to questions on the subject have been evasive and unsatisfactory, Lord Dainsford charged. stressing the necessity for the publication of the names of the financiers involved before the conclusion of the contracts.

Sir William Beach Thomas pointed to the extraordinarily large quantities of Potash which the Dead Sea possesses. During the war the lack of potash in England and America raised prices immensely. almost causing a national catastrophe. It is most essential, he declared, that the names of the concessionnaires’ financial backers be published.

Miss Annic Hommer, consulting chemist. complained that the tenders submitted by her were rejected because the financiers withdrew their capital at the last moment. This came about through German influence, she charged, because Germany knows that once the export of Potash from Palestine is made possble, she will lose the United States market. Miss Hommer further said that although the tender she submitted was the best one, the colonial Office rejected it, she being regarded as a theoretical, not a practical worker. She has never been in Palestine, she admitted, but has worked on the subject for many years.

Other speakers stressed the necessity of starting a campaign in England drawing attention to the danger of monopolization of the Dead Sea. Only one speaker defended Novomejski and Tulloch as the proper concessionaires, declaring that because of conditions, the financial backers cannot be disclosed until the matter is definitely settled. This is the usual practice, he declared.