American Statesmen Regardless of Party Affiliation, Give Unequivocal Support to President Hoover’s S

Statements by Governors

There is no abatment in the interest being displayed by leading members of American governmental circles in the plight of the Jews, victims of the Arab massacres in Palestine. From Governors, Senators and Representatives, replies continue to arrive in response to the inquiry conducted by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, among them the following:

Governor Fred W. Green (Michigan), Lansing, Mich, – “Every American citizen should join with President Hoover in condemning the atrocities being perpetrated upon the Jews and members of other races and faiths in Palestine. I am confident that the British Government will exercise its full authority under the mandate and prevent further excesses in Palestine. It is inconceivable that the civilized world will tolerate the extremes to which this fanaticism has gone. Jews, the world over, have my profound sympathy in their tragedy.”

Governor C. Max Gardner (North Carolina), Raleigh, N. C. – “The tragic situation in which the Jews of Palestine find themselves as a result of Arab outrages instantly compels the sympathy and indignation of all right thinking people. The question is of immediate concern to the American public and in my opinion Great Britain, as the responsible mandatory power, cannot escape the censure of the enlightened world public opinion unless the situation is dealt with vigorously and without unnecessary delay.”

Senator Kenneth McKellar (Tennessee), Memphis, Tenn. – “Last week I wired the Secretary of State voicing my protest against these outrages against the Jews.

“If Great Britain can’t keep law and order in Jerusalem, she should give up her mandate and it should be turned over to some nation that can keep law and order there. I am very hopeful that Great Britain will rush her troops there in sufficient numbers and keep them there if necessary in order that there may be no more outrages.

“It seems to me that such outrages could have been guarded against, but I would not like to judge in advance. I further believe that a strong and vigorous protest on the part of the American government would bring the result that you and I and all other forward looking Americans so much desire. It is not a case for pussyfooting. Of course American citizens residing or visiting in the Holy Land should be given the utmost protection by our government.”

“Palestine was promised as a homeland to the Jewish people by the British Government. The rapid advances made by the Jewish people in Palestine in art, science, music and agriculture, the erection of schools and universities is well known the world over. It is my belief that the British government should and will fulfill its obligation to the Jewish people with wisdom and firmness.

“If, as has been stated in the press, some of the English statesmen seem to think their government will settle this matter for the time being and then relinquish their mandate over Palestine; in my opinion the mandate should be taken over by the other international powers including the United States of America, to enforce the mandate and the original promise to the Jewish people to have Palestine as a homeland.”

Congressman James G. Strong (Kansas), Blue Rapids, Kan. – “I certainly am in sympathy with the great Jewish agency now being enacted in Palestine and hope that the controversy may soon be amicably settled.”

Congressman Charles L. Underhill (Massachusetts), Somerville, Mass – “My deepest sympathy goes out to the Jews of the world in the assassination, murder and atrocities committed upon the members of their race in Palestine by the Moslems and Arabs. Immediate steps should be taken by the governments involved to put an end to this blot on civilization.

“The Jews who have settled in their homeland have done much to bring about an economic condition of benefit to all races. They are deserving of every commendation and praise for the hardships they have suffered to this end.

“I want to cooperate in any way that I can to bring about a proper respect and equitable treatment of the Jews in the Near East and all parts of the world.”

Congressman Anning S. Prall (New York), West New Brighton, N. Y. – “As an American citizen I was shocked at the news of the Palestine massacre. Sympathy is worth little in this crisis. If Great Britain cannot cope with the situation alone, our State Department should promptly request other powers to do so.”

Congressman W. W. Chalmbers (Ohio). Toledo, O. – “The present tragedy of the Jewish people in Palestine muse terminate in making Palestine and the Holy Land safe for all people and more especially for the Jewish race. We must see to it that the protection of the population and visitors in the Holy Land shall become immediate, sure and permanent.”

Congressman Tom D. MckCown (Oklahoma), Ala, Okla, – “Every reasonable step should be taken to protect the lives of American citizens in Palestine. The Jewish people endeavoring to rehabilitate Palestine should have not only the sympathy but the support of all Christian people.”

Congressman Charles A. Mooney (Ohio), Cleveland, O. – “My deepest sympathy goes out to all the Jewish people on the terrible situation in Palestine. Many victims and persons now in danger are American citizens.

“If England is unable to meet this crisis then it becomes a sacred national duty to protect our own. I appreciate and most enthusiastically share the Jewish ambition for a homeland and most earnestly hope that from this profound sorrow the fullest realization of this great movement may come.”

Congressman Clyde Kelly (Pennsylvania), Edgewood, Pa. – “The tragic situation of the Jewish population in Palestine is a challenge to America and every civilized nation.

“American Jewry has furnished the greater part of the funds for the rehabilitation of the Holy Land. American citizens have furnished a major part of the leadership for the most worthy aim of establishing a Jewish homeland in Zion.

“The United States government should lend its aid in seeing that order is reestablished in Palestine and that a fair opportunity be given the Jewish people to work out their manifest des (Continued on Page 7)

tiny freed from the menace of enemy forces.”

Congressman Stephen G. Porter (Pennsylvania), Pittsburgh, Pa. – “I am in complete accord with the views expressed by President Hoover and Senator Borah with regard to the deplorable conditions in Jerusalem and intend to aid in the enforcement of the policy which they have promulgated.”

Congressman Cordell Hull (Tennessee), Carthage, Tenn. – “I am greatly concerned and distressed about American loss of life and property in Palestine. Our government should insist on quick and adequate protection by the British government. Any other effective and necessary steps should be immediately taken by our government at all hazards.”

Congressman John C. Box (Texas), Jacksonville, Tex. – “I am deeply grieved on account of the massacres of the Jewish people and American citizens in the Palestine region. I believe the civilized powers should and will provide protection. I do not doubt that our government will cooperate with wisdom and discretion.”

Congressman Augustus McCloskey (Texas), San Antonio, Tex. – “I concur in President Hoover’s statement regarding ‘America’s concern for the safety of American citizens’ and in addition add that the entire civilized world should be concerned regarding the safety of all Christian peoples in Mohammedan territory because to the Mohammedan mind a Jew is in fact a Christian. Therefore, all other Christian people are facing a like fate in Palestine unless the British government uses the means necessary to restore order immediately.

“‘Revolution, like fire, grows as it blows.’ I am confident that the British government will quickly restore order and that the Jewish people will go forward spreading civilization and tolerance with renewed and greater energy.

“Persecution has given strength to the persecuted in every age and to my mind the greatness of the Jewish race is directly attributable to their persecution. Persecution breeds tolerance and the future safety of the world depends on a greater spirit of tolerance. Therefore may we not hope that out of the ashes of this unholy and horrible spectacle will arise a stronger and greater Jerusalem spreading civilization, tolerance and good will.”

Congressman Frank L. Bowman (West Virginia), Morgantown, W. Va. – “The atrocities against the Jews in Palestine demand the exercise of definite national and international policies. This is no time for resolutions and discussions. The United States should demand strict accountability of Great Britain in the exercise of her mandate over Palestine.

“Great Britain should not be permitted to make a pretense of a protectorate in violation of her declared policy of establishing the Jews in the Holy Land because of the religious conflict between her Moslem subjects and the Jews of Palestine. If a mandate means anything at all it certainly means protection to the Jews of the Holy Land. This determines Great Britain’s responsibility and in this case her interests should be with the Jews.

“Despite the effect upon the Moslem world the terms and provision of the mandate should be effective and efficient and the responsibility of the United States does not cease until adequate protection has been afforded the Jews, in accordance with the declared policies of the nations of the world.”

Chairman United States Tariff Commission Thomas O. Marvin, Washington, D. C – “In an age of marvelous inventions, discoveries and achievements, when New York, London, Paris, Rome and Tokio can hear men talking in Polar regions, when the globe can be circumnavigated in twelve days of flying, when air, earth and sea are revealing their secrets and the mysteries of nature are being conquered, we find that human nature is still unchanged, unconquered. While we talk of outlawing war, the savagery of war is unleashed in the Holy Land.

“America responds as always to the call of oppressed peoples. It sympathizes with the sufferers. It proffers substantial assistance. It demands a righteous settlement.”