The serious facts disclosed by Dr. Senator were not disputed, and consequently the Council had to face them. If they wanted a new Executive, they could have it at this meeting without a Congress, Mr. Harry Sacher said in the course of the general debate at the Actions Committee meeting, which centered mainly on the financial n and the question of the postponement of the Congress, according to the statement issued this evening by the Zionist Central Office.
Dr. Hexter referred to the financial situation, and read a cable from the American Zionists, urging the postponement of the Congress and the sending of a delegation to the United States.
Mr. Harsfeld, who opened the Debate, spoke with vigour about the need of intensified work for the settlement of workers in Palestine He was opposed, he said, to the holding of the Congress in February.
Mr. Simon Marks said that they had to take into account the position as presented by Dr. Senator. They were obliged to effect numerous economics, and for the next few months they must devote all their energies to the raising of funds. He was strongly opposed to the holding of the Congress in February.
Deputy Gruenbaum argued that the Zionist world was waiting for the Congress, and would be gravely disappointed if it were postponed. He believed that if Congress met it would be advantageous to the raising of funds. He thought that the indefiniteness of the political situation was in a large measure responsible for the shortage of funds.
Mr. Meer Grossman protested against the proposal to postpone the Congress. Dr. Nurok was also strongly opposed to deferring the Congress. He, too, dealt with the financial situation.
Dr. Hantke pointed out that apart from the United States the Keren Hayesod revenue during the past year had not decreased. Mr. Blumenfeld emphasised the importance of unity.
Mr. Twersky said that he strongly disapproved of the holding of the Congress next month.
Mr. Naiditsch, Dr. Goldstein and Mr. Goldbloom dwelt on the present difficult position, and spoke against the Congress being held next February. Mr. Szkolnik and Mr. Remez also demanded a postponement of the Congress.
Rabbi Berlin urged adherence to the present arrangements for holding the Congress in February, when he believed some measure of unity might be achieved, This was of paramount importance, he said, in view of the situation.
Dr. Tartakower deprecated the holding of Congress at a moment when there were more urgent needs. Dr. Bernstein said that the question of holding the Congress in February or later was not of vital importance. The main problem was the system of the present work in Palestin which he belived must be changed.
Dr. Goldmann viewed the holding of the Congress in February as an important step towards the alleviation of the financial situation Dr. Melzer demanded the postponement of the Congress.
Mr. Kaplansky formulated the reasons which prompted many of them to desire a postponement of the Congress. Dr. S. Levin criticised the Opposition, which, he said, had undermined the confidence of the Zionist masses. He saw no reason at all for the holding of a Congress in February.
After a number of personal declarations, the General Debate was closed at 1 a.m. No plenary session was held on Thursday, January 15th. the day being devoted to meetings of Commissions.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
