Leftists Abstain from Voting at World Jewish Congress Elections; Wise Renamed President

The second convention of the World Jewish Congress concluded here today after electing an executive committee of 40 members. Rabbi Stephen S. Wise was re-named president, while Dr. Nahum Goldman was reelected chairman of the executive and Dr. Leon Kubowitsky was chosen chairman of the administrative committee.

The session ended after a long, deadlocked meeting which extended into the early morning hours today and was resumed after the delegates had rested for a few hours. Twenty-seven delegates from Eastern European countries, representing leftwing groups, refrained from voting during the elections of the executive committee. The American Jewish community will be the largest single group on the executive body, but two seats each were reserved for Poland, Rumania and Hungary and one for Bulgaria. These seats will remain open while the delegates from those countries consult with their organizations at home on acceptance.

A spokesman for the left-wing delegates, A. Raisky of Paris, told the Congress that the leftists demand the inclusion of “progressives” among the American representative on the executive committee. However, he emphasized that this is not an ultimatum. Rabbi Joachim Prinz, leader of the U.S. delegation, replied that the question of who was to represent the American Jews on the executive was a matter for the American delegates themselves to decide. They, therefore, could not accept the “suggestions of their East European colleagues. Two left-wing members of the American delegation dissented from Rabbi Prinz’s statement.

In his closing speech, Rabbi Wise declared that “we will accept the responsibility and duty of unity and do our utmost to strengthen and magnify the state of Israel.” Referring to the plight of the Jews living in Arab countries, he asserted that “mankind will not permit another Hitler pogrom against the Jews. He also predicted that the state of Israel would be at peace before the end of the year.

DELEGATES ADOPT CONSTITUTION GUARANTEEING AUTONOMY TO AFFILIATES

At last night’s session the delegates also adopted a constitution which declared that the Congress’ function was to ensure the survival of the Jewish people and foster its unity. The document also stressed that “affiliation to the World Jewish Congress shall not affect the autonomy of affiliates regarding internal and religious affairs, nor imply authorization for the World Jewish Congress to intervene in domestic or political affairs.” The delegates unanimously accepted the political resolutions reported to the parley yesterday by the political committee.

During the discussion on a resolution calling for the cession of certain German territories to neighboring states, one of the delegates opposed it on the grounds that it might intensify the anti-Semitism which already exists in Germany and thus make life more difficult for the Jews in the DP camps and communities of that country. However, he was immediately opposed by the delegates from the Jewish communities of Germany who attacked his point of view and supported the resolution.

While the resolution on anti-Semitism in Germany was being discussed, representatives from the various zones of Germany said that feeling was running high against the Jews in connection with the recent change of currency in the western zones and that unless the Allies act “anything may happen in the next few days.” Dr. Goldmann appealed to the German provincial governments and the Allies to halt the agitation before it has disastrous results.