B’nai B’rith Re-elects Klutznick; Votes to Join World Jewish Body

The B’nai B’rith concluded its triennial convention here today with the re-election of Philip M. Klutznick as president for a second three-year term and with the approval of a proposal that the organization participate on an “experimental basis” in an international body which would, for the present, act “consultatively” on world Jewish problems.

The proposal, made by Mr. Klutznick, won the unanimous endorsement of the delegates representing the 400,000 members of the organization. Mr. Klutznick explained that the success of the “experiment” would depend on the participation of other major Jewish organizations throughout the world. He name the Alliance Israelite Universelle and the Comite Representatif des Juifs de France, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the South African Board of Jewish Deputies, the World Jewish Congress and the Jewish Labor Committee as possible participants.

The proposed grouping of Jewish organizations would, if organized, operate on an “experimental” level for two years, Mr. Klutznick said. During that period it would be nameless. Its objectives, he stated, would be to: 1. Take action whenever necessary and coordinate action taken by affiliated groups on world Jewish problems; 2. Gather information on Jewish affairs and problems throughout the world; 3. Provide facilities for a regular exchange of views on all common problems.

“During the experimental period, the participating organizations will deal only with such questions on which there is agreement that they be dealt with,” Mr. Klutznick said. “I the absence of such agreement every one of the participating organizations can act on its own. No voting procedure will take place during this period and decisions can only be reached by agreement.” The statements, representations and actions of proposed organization would be made in the names of the participating constituent agencies.

In a brief address following his installation as president, Mr. Klutznick interpreted the foreign policy speech by Secretary of State Dulles at the convention’s banquet last night as “confirmation of a new and a different attitude on the part of the Western Powers with respect to the problems of the Middle East.”

He added that “the safety and security of Jews are our concern. These require arms for Israel. If our government, for reasons which may be appropriate diplomacy, declines to deliver arms physically but has embarked on a program that will induce and encourage others to do it, I am not concerned.”