Weizmann Warns Zionists Against Further Reservation on Jewish Agency

A clear cut decision on the extension of the Jewish Agency was demanded of the Sixteenth Zionist Congress by Dr. Chaim Weizmann when the Zionist leader submitted his political report Monday morning. He demanded the Congress rescind the resolution adopted by that body at its Fourteenth session to the effect that the Jewish Agency be formed for a period of three years’ trial. The Congress is sovereign, he said, but he warns against making the task more difficult by putting the Jewish Agency under question by insisting on the three year provision, particularly when the present agreement is satisfactory. The British Government has declared its willingness to again recognize the Zionist Organization as the Jewish Agency at any time when the enlarged Agency is dissolved. The three year provision is therefore unnecessary as it is unacceptable to the non-Zionists. He praised the attitude of the American non-Zionists as being generous and statesmanlike. Dr. Weizmann, who appeared pale and weak, warned against meddling by certain Zionist groups with the relations with the Mandatory power. The Zionist leader did not name the groups he had in mind, but there were two interpretations current among the delegates. Some held that the warning referred to the Zionist Revisionists; others believed that it referred to the labor groups because of their recent communications with the British Labor Government. “Such negotiations with the Government are harmful,” he said. He also took a strong stand on the appearance at Zurich conferences of signs of conflict between the Palestine Foundation Fund and the Jewish National Fund. Such rivalry can result only in harm to the Zionist Organization, he said.

Dr. Weizmann stated in his political report that he does not expect any material change in the Palestine policy due to the coming into power of the British Labor Government. The Zionist Organization continues a policy of peaceful understanding although the Palestine Government has not met all the demands of the organization. It has, however, carried through some or parts of them. It has, for instance, agreed to a revision of the tariff and land taxes, it has increased its grant in aid to the Zionist school budget and has given employment to Jewish workers during the year 1928. It has also obligated itself to employ Jewish workers in the harbor construction. These concessions of the government are not fully satisfactory but the Executive will continue its efforts to bring about a more favorable government policy, particularly in the question of the municipalities, such as Jerusalem, where the policy toward the Jewish population is unsatisfactory. The government has prepared a school ordinance under which the Zionist Executive retains the autonomous administration of the Hebrew school system.

In regard to immigration, the government has granted the Zionist Executive 3,000 certificates for the admission of labor immigrants. The provisions, however, for the admission of the so-called capitalist class, of whom the possession of a minimum amount of £500 is required, is not satisfactory. These provisions keep back valuable elements from the country. The enterprises of the fourth Aliyah were only partly unsuccessful. The greater majority were successful and made a positive contribution to the upbuilding of the country, Dr. Weizmann said.