Complete Text of Address by General Smuts at Z.O.A. Luncheon in His Honor

der, and with the strong hand necessary in the East, I do not doubt that wisdom will be forthcoming and the initiative even of the Jewish people will be forthcoming to help in the solution of the problems that have arisen with the Arabs.

WARNS AGAINST FAULT-FINDING

“There is a great responsibility on you. I do not want the Jewish people to adopt an attitude of fault-finding with the British Government. The British Government will play the game by you and they will carry out their pledge. On the Jewish people rests the responsibility to be wise, statesmanlike and to help in arriving at a settlement with the Arab people. I think it can be done with absolute consistency with the Balfour Declaration. You can have Palestine as a National Home without waving a red flag.

“I hope that you will make your contribution, and with the British Government backing you up and carrying out in letter and spirit the pledge which they have given, and you helping from your side to the best of your ability to bring peace between two kindrd peoples, I have no doubt that that policy will win through, and generations to come will see a new Palestine arise. When you think of what that country did and a small people did in constant warfare, constantly overrun by kingdoms in the past, in spite of that it could make its unequalled contribution to human culture. I say, if that could be done under such adverse circumstances, what will not be possible in the days of peace? In the days when that people, living in their ancient Homeland, will no longer be harassed by enemies inside and outside, and they will be able to produce a spiritual achievement as never before in the history of the world.

“The vision of the National Home is not only a great vision, but in the end it may mean something very outstanding. Not only is a great reparation for injustice been done in the past but looking to the future Jewish people can contribute as much as any other people. I support the National Home and I want a strong central nucleus of that people built up and maintained there, to evolve a system which might be of benefit to mankind in the years to come. I am very glad to have this meeting with you. In my visit to the United States I have attended many important meetings. Many meetings did me good. This meeting is not a meeting of the United States. I find myself here today in the presence of humanity.

“The Jewish people stand for all history for all countries. They are the great international witnesses of the human race. When you speak here, you speak not merely as Americans—you represent a race spread all over the world—and facing you, I face the great history of the world. It has been a great pleasure to me to exchange ideas with you. My own feeling is that what you have stood for and the promises that have been made, are going to be carried out in spite of appearances to the contrary; settlements will be arrived at and will be completely carried out. I wish you success and I know that you will go in and win.”