Ash, Torres and Lecache Plead for Jewish Colonization Work in Russia

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency Mall Service)

M. Henri Torr?s. the counsel for Sholom Schwartzbard was chairman at a public meeting of the French Society for Prom##ing Jewish Colonization in Russia, held here today.

Mr. Bernard Lecache. who rece### visited Russia and the Ukraine, said that he had convinced himself during his tour of the Jewish colonies that Jewish life in Russia and the Ukraine was reviving now after the many years of famine and pogroms.

Sholom Ash. the famous Yidd## author, said that suppon of the world of Jewish colonization in Russia did ## signify an## of all the “?er commandments” of the Soviet ### ? was possible to be interested in Palestine and also in the Jewish colonization work in Russia. The establishment of the Jews in agriculture was a great work. It made for the Jews who till now had been an emigrant population leading vagaboad lives becoming a settled people attached to the soil. Looked at from this point of view the work of Jewish colonization in Russia had the same moral and economic value as Jewish colonization in Palestine.

There are people who oppose the Jewish colonization movement in Russia, Mr. Ash continued, because they are afraid that if the Soviet Government were overthrown, there would be fresh pogroms against the Jews who had occupied the land, but they forgot that Jews who had learned to cultivate the fields, had learned also to defend themselves.

M. Pierre Lamaziere, the French author, who recently visited Palestine, said that the success of the Jewish colonization work in Palestine had conviticed him of the great importance of agricultural colonization as such to the Jewish people Judging from what he had seen in Palestine, he believed that the Jewish colonization work in Russia would contribute quite as much to the spiritual renaissance of the Jewish people.

M. Henri Torres said that Jewish colonization in Russia was transferring a large number of declassed Jews to productive work.

He welcomed just as much the revival of the Jewish people in Palestine. The reconstruction of Palestine is an essential part of the Jewish program. It is their duty. he said. to support all efforts and all movements directed towards bringing about a Jewish renaissance. whether in Palestine, or in Russia.