Harmony Marks Jewish Agency Council Discussions As Zionists and Non-zionists Blend Views for Palesti

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Two committees on constitution and budget, consisting of ### members each, were appointed by Louis Marshall, president of the Jewish Agency Council session, at its Monday afternoon meeting, following which the proceedings were adjourned until Tuesday afternoon to give the committees sufficient time to prepare their reports and recommendations.

The budget committee to which M. Dizenpoff Mayor of Tel Aviv was added as an advisor, was charged with the formulation of recommendations concerning the Palestine budget approved by the Zionist Congress in the amount of £750,000. The constitution committee’s work will consist of adjusting minor differences still existing and in submitting a final text of the constitution for final approval by the Council.

BLENDING OF ZIONIST AND NON-ZIONIST VIEWS PRODUCES NEW TONE IN PALESTINE DISCUSSIONS

Under the chairmanship of Louis Marshall, the proceedings of the Jewish Agency assumed an American {SPAN}###{/SPAN} the business on the agenda being disposed of with despatch the speeches shorter and the discussions centering around the issues.

A new tone in the discussion of Pal

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estine problems, seldom heard among European Zionists, ser in as Zionists and non-Zionists blended views in the Jewish Agency Council’s work. At the Monday afternoon session which was in the nature of a general debate on the subjects outlined at the morning session by Dr. Weizmann, Dr. Lee K. Franked and Felix M. Warburg. Zionist and non-Zionist delegates participated, but some of the heat or acrimony which characterized Zionist ###gress proceedings were manifested here. As the work progressed the expectation for complete harmony between the Zionists and the non-Zionists gained strength on both sides of the assembly. It was apparent that there is general agreement as to the program to be undertaken differences continuing only in emphasis on practical measures or on details of minor character.The characteristic event of the afternoon session, which had much meaning for the Zionists, was the change of mind of the group of Radical Zionists, the die-hard opponents of the Jewish Agency extension plan. The Radical Zionists fought the Agency until the last minute and when they decided to join it they declared that they would do so in order to continue their opposition. But at the second session, Dr. Nahurm Goldman, Berlin, Radical Zionist spokesman. delivered a very moderate address and promised Dr. Weizmann “a loyal opposition” on the part of his group.

TWELVE VICE-PRESIDENTS CHOSEN

Twelve vice-presidents were chosen, six non-Zionists and six Zionists. For the non-Zionists the following were named: Dr. Cyrus Adler, Philadelphia; James N. Rosenberg, New York; Leon Blum, Paris; O. E. D’Avigdor Goldsmid, London; Oscar Wasserman, Berlin; and Oscar Greenberg, Riga. For the Zionists the following were named: Morris Rothenberg, New York; M. M. Ussishkin, Jerusalem; Dr. Lep Motzkia Paris; Deputy H. Parbstein, Warsaw; Dr. Chaim Arlosoroff, Jerusalem; and David Ben Gerion, Jerusalem.

JEWISH COMMUNITIES CONTINUE TO SEND GREETINGS, AGUDAH TO BE INVITED TO JOIN

At the opening of the session Mr. Marshall read a number of congratulatory messages received from Jewish communities throughout the world, among them the Kehillahs of Berlin. Korto, Lithuania; Riza Larvia; Helsingfors, Finland; Sofa, Bulgaria; Tel Aviv, Palestine; Selocika, Greece; Lublin and {SPAN}###{/SPAN} Poland; the Communities Federations of Belgium and Latvia, the Independent Order B’nai Brith and from the International Labor Office of the League of Nations at Geneva. A message was also read from China Machma Bialik. Hebrew poet, who was chosen as a non-Zionist delegate to the Council by the National Assembly of Palestine Jewry. Mr. Bialik expressed his regret that he had not yet fully recovered from his recent operation to be able to attend the session.

NATHAN STRAND SENDS MESSAGE

A message to the Council of the Jewish Agency was read from Nathan Straus of New York. “There is no reason for anyone to withhold his support from the movement with which everyone is now identified,” Mr. Stats wrote.

At the conclusion of the session, Mr. Marshall read a motion introduced by a group of delegates to the effect that other Jewish groups, in particular the Orthodox Agudath Israel. which remained away from the Jewish Agency be invited to cooperate.

A portrait of Dr. Herzl and a map of Palestine were placed in the center of the platform when the second session began.

EXCHANGE VIEWS ON OUTSTANDING PROBLEMS

The general debate, arranged as if to provide an opportunity for both sides to acquaint themselves with each other’s views, proceeded, calm as the waters of a lake after a storm.

Dr. Schmarya Levin warned against a too hasty passage from the semi-philanthropic character of the Palestine work to purely business methods. Contrary to the opinion of individual Zionists who were amours over the partnership between the Zionists and the non-Zionists he always believed in the success of joint work. He expressed the hope that the Agency will succeed in drawing into the Palestine work an additional twenty per cent of the Jewish population: the Zionists enlisted ten per cent he said. The Karen Hayesed, which is to be the instrument of the Jewish Agency has a great education value. Without idealism and inspiration there will be no fund raising he said.

Dr. Chain Arlosoroff Laborite, reminded the Council that the labor parties of Palestine have always supported the plan for the emersion of the Agency. “We had no apprehensions, because we trusted in the power of Jewish labor and in the experience of twenty-five years. We relied on the national social principles which the Palestine workers have succeeded in establishing,” he said. He drew attention to the danger of land seduction and stated that a Jewish National Home without Jewish labor is an empty word. He polarized with Dr. Frankel’s plan for a Palestine finance corporation. The first task the Agency faces in Palestine is to create conditions for labor, he said.

Kurt Blammemfeld president of the Zionist Federation of Germany land emphasis on the need to create great-

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mmigration opportunities for tens of thousands of Jews, who await an opportunity to emigrate to Palestine. He took issue with the views of Dr. Arlosoroff and declared that there would be no conflict between the Keren Hayesod and a Palestine finance corporation, since the corporation will be subject to the Jewish Agency Council. He added that at present there is not a Jew who believes that the revival of Judaism is possible without Palestine. The Zionists had accomplished much and they are entitled to expect from the joint action with the non-Zionists great deeds in accordance with the Basle program.

David Ben Gurion, Palestine Laborite, speaking in Yiddish, stated that the entire Zionist Socialist movement voted for the extension of the Jewish Agency because Zionism has entered the era of realization. Since the days of the early Russian Jewish pioneers, the Bilu, until the present generation of Jewish workers in Palestine, they all came to the country animated by the ideal of a Jewish renaissance. “We desire to see a Jewish Socialist Eretz Israel, and are not afraid of working hand in hand with the so-called Western Jews, believing and trusting in our ideals, which correspond to the spirit and needs of the modern world. We Socialists know that without capital, Palestine cannot be rebuilt, but we also know that without Jewish labor, it will not be rebuilt,” he said.

David Remez, Palestine labor leader, laid emphasis on the need of solving the land problem in Palestine. Zionists and Jews generally misunderstood the importance of the land question. “The land does not wait. We intend to appeal to the Socialist International as well as to the entire world. We demand in Eretz Israel free land for the Jewish people, but not for capitalist land speculation. Should we permit such speculation, our entire work in Palestine will remain hanging in the air,” he said. The speaker disagreed with Dr. Weizmann’s plan of a 20,000 annual immigration to Palestine. “A fifteen thousand annual immigration is insufficient; it will merely take care of the Arab natural increase. Even a thirty thousand annual immigration of Jews to Palestine will be no luxury,” he said.

Dr. Daiches of London expressed his conviction that the Agency work will be a great success. He was surprised to hear Dr. Schmarya Levin’s pessimistic view that only twenty per cent will be attracted. It is nearer the truth to say that ninety-five per cent of the Jewish people stand near the Palestine work, he declared.

Judge William M. Lewis of Philadelphia stated that he favors the Agency because he “knows the agents.” Therefore he knows it will be a successful phenomenon in Jewish life. “One thing was dividing American Jewish life in the past. That was Zionism. After yesterday and after the last word will be spoken at this gathering, there will be nothing dividing us. We wanted this unity in American Jewish life,” he declared.

Hermann Struck, Mizrachi leader, stated that the Mizrachi always fought for the extension of the Agency. He expressed his hope that the new partners will exhibit understanding for the needs of the Jewish religion.

AMERICAN LABOR LEADER TELLS EUROPEANS THEY NEED NOT FEAR AMERICANIZATION

Abraham Shipliacoff, American Jewish labor leader, said: “I speak not only as a non-Zionist, but also as a non-Poale Zionist. I assure you, you needn’t fear Americanization if it comes from such people. I never saw more sincere and earnest men with a finer spirit than these Americans who come to the Agency. If they accept my Socialist principle of nationalization, I can work with them in perfect accord. I disagree with Dr. Levin’s assumption that only five per cent of the Jewish people are identified with Palestine reconstruction,” he said.

Oscar Wasserman was greatly applauded when he said, speaking of the land problem in Palestine, that “Eretz Israel (the Land of Israel) was once a theological idea; now, when it was given to us, all we received was the Israel without the Eretz (land). If we are not satisfied with the spirit alone, we must provide the land. Mr. Ussishkin is therefore a thousand times right when he emphasizes the importance of the land problem,” he said.

Dr. Jacob G. Lipman, non-Zionist candidate for the Executive and agricultural expert, spoke on the land problem. He said there was no disagreement in principle, admitting that the land should be purchased as the property of the Jewish people, the title being vested in the Jewish National Fund.

M. M. Ussishkin emphasized the need of purchasing the land as national property. He introduced a note of criticism against the Palestine government, citing the instance of the Beisan land which was given to Arabs who are now speculating with it. He demanded that the government prevent speculation. “We must redeem the soil. This is the first consideration; the price is of secondary importance. Our father, Abraham, also paid a high price for the land when he needed it,” he said.

Dr. Nahum Goldman stated that the Radicals opposed the Agency to the last minute, but they entered hoping that both sides will reserve for them selves the right to their own point of view. He hoped that the Jewish Agency will bring about a change in the relations with the Palestine government, which must understand that its duty is not merely to give the Zionists opportunity to work, but also to help them. As to the Palestine finance corporation proposed by Dr. Frankel, whatever form it will assume it must have the approval of and be subject to the Jewish Agency.

WEIZMANN SUMMARIZES, IS GLAD DOES NOT HAVE TO ANSWER OPPOSITION

The exchange of views was summarized by Dr. Chaim Weizmann at the conclusion of the session. He provoked smiles of satisfaction among the delegates when he stated that it was for the first time in many years that he rises at the conclusion of a discussion without having the need to answer the “opposition.”

The differences that seem still to trouble the minds are due to misunderstandings. Without agriculture, nothing will be possible in Palestine. Agriculture must be furthered by public funds, but it is a mistake to believe that there is any rivalry between private and public funds. The public funds are necessary for the agricultural colonization as well as for health and educational work. The Jewish National Fund and the Palestine Foundation Fund have paved the way for private business initiative.

Dr. Weizmann concluded by thanking the Radical Zionists for their “loyal opposition,” expressing the hope that also the absent Zionist Revisionists will come. “I feel that now, after the second session of the Council, we have learned to know one another, the Zionists are less fearful of the non-Zionists and the non-Zionists are better acquainted with the problems of Palestine,” he said.