Zionism Strengthened by Recent Palestine Events, Says Ab. Cahan

“The Jews will remain in Palestine, notwithstanding recent occurrences in the country, because it is the determined will of the Yishub to remain. Zionism has not been weakened. It has emerged stronger than ever before,” declared Abraham Cahan, Editor of the “Jewish Daily Forward.” who returned yesterday on the Berengaria after an extended trip in Europe and a tour of Palestine where he went immediately following the outbreak.

In an interview with the representative of the Jewish Daily Bulletin upon his arrival, he described his impressions of the recent events in Palestine.

“Among the Jews of Europe and Palestine the opinion is current that Great Britain has not lived up to the terms of the Balfour Declaration conscientiously and that the Palestine Administration itself organized the pogrom on the Jews,” Mr. Cahan stated. “That of course is a great mistake. The British Government has been and is sincere in its intentions of fulfilling the terms of the Balfour Declaration.

“The most that one can say,” he continued, “is that a number of the officials of the Palestine administration were guilty of negligence and passivity during the riots. The reason for that is that a number of the members of the Palestine Administration are stupid and inefficient,” he asserted.

To the query as to whom he believes responsible for the occurrence of the riots, Mr. Cahan answered: “It is difficult to point your finger and say ‘This is the cause.’ It is certain, however, that there were two contributing factors. In the first place, part of the blame must rest upon the Zionist Revisionists for their irresponsible actions in and outside Palestine. An example of their irresponsibility was the arranging of the demonstration of the Jewish youth at the Wailing Wallan act which stirred up the fanatical Arabs.

“The principal cause, however, of the unrest in Palestine today is the result of a series of unfortunate circumstances and developments in the course of the last ten years. I want to speak openly. The first High Commissioner of Palestine, the Jew. Sir Herbert Samuel, established a policy in the country which led the Arabs to believe that Great Britain is afraid of them, and that it knows that Arab strength is a power to be reckoned with. Due to Sir Herbert’s policy, he Grand Mufti became a power in Palestine. Arab leaders began to feel that the British Administration recognize their power and employ this in their own interests, stirring up the fanatical Arabs against the Jews.

“Notwithstanding all this,” Mr. Cahan maintained, “Palestine Jews will not renounce their position in the country, with or without the help of (Continued on Page 4)

Great Britain. Their courage in the face of the Arab onslaught is clear evidence of their determination. In general I can say that the Zionist movement, in the face of recent occurrences has lost nothing, and on the contrary gained in strength. This is true not only in Palestine itself, but in European countries. American Jewry has nothing to fear, since Palestine Jewry itself is unafraid,” Mr. Cahan asserted.

From his personal knowledge of Ramsay MacDonald, Premier of Great Britain, Mr. Cahan stated, he is certain that the necessary steps to safeguard Palestine will be taken as speedily as the Commission of Inquiry in Palestine completes the investigation with which it is charged.