Complete Agreement on Jewish Agency Constitution Reached, Warburg Says in Jerusalem

The Zionists and the non-Zionists who are to form jointly the extended Agency for Palestine, have reached a complete agreement on the constitution of the new body, it was revealed by Felix M. Warburg in an interview with the representative of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency here.

The question as to who is to be the president of the extended Jewish Agency was settled with the decision that this office is to be occupied by the president of the Zionist Organization, as was the demand of the Zionist Congress, but other candidates for the same office may be elected if they gain a three-fifth majority in the Council of the extended Jewish Agency, Mr. Warburg stated. The division of fifty-fifty, that is fifty per cent Zionists and fifty per cent non-Zionists both in the Council and the administrative bodies of the Jewish Agency has been retained, Mr. Warburg stated but added that he visualizes the application of this method only during the initial period of the Agency’s work as the ability of the candidates should be the only criterion for their selection to the office.

Before proceeding to Palestine Mr. Warburg said he met Baron Edmund de Rothschild and Lord Melchett at Cannes. Baron Edmund displayed great interest in every detail of the Palestinian situation and expressed his hope that the Jewish Agency will strengthen the Palestine work.

Mr. Warburg in reply to the question as to his impressions of the country stated that he was very much impressed by the progress noticeable in all parts of Palestine. The greatest asset of Palestine, he stated, are what might be termed “invisible resources.” These resources consist of the help which very many here obtain from relatives abroad. Comparing these “invisible resources” to a web, he said that there are innumerable fine threads going to Palestine from every part of the world. In their accumulative power they constitute the strongest backing for the country.

He was deeply moved, he stated, by the idealism and the boundless sacrifices not only of the settlers but of all other elements. Mr. Warburg cited as an example the brothers Pollac, owners of the cement factory of Nesher, who live like hermits and devote large sums for constructive purposes. Another case is that of an architect, Mr. Green, who undertook gratuitously to do the repair work following the earthquake when many buildings were damaged and the doubt was prevalent as to whether repair work would do. He has achieved a remarkable piece of work in rapidly renovating most of the buildings.

Mr. Warburg, with his brother Max Warburg of Hamburg, conferred here with Julius Simon, Dr. Bernard Kahn, Mr. Mohl, Mr. Viteles, and Mr. Singer, concerning the work of the Palestine Economic Corporation. This work is proceeding very satisfactorily, he said.

The Warburg party will leave Palestine on Wednesday, May 1, for Europe. Mr. and Mrs. Felix M. Warburg will sail on the Berengaria on May 25 on their return to the United States.