Conviction that the conscience of the British people will lead them to rise in defense of the Jewish national rights in Palestine and will not permit the violation of a pledge assumed by Great Britain at a time when the destiny of the Empire was in the balance was voiced here today by Frank G. Allen, governor of Massachusetts.
Recalling the fact that Massachusetts was the first state to give its approval officially to the Balfour Declara-
tion and the one state which under the administration of the then governor, Calvin Coolidge, officially conveyed its greetings to the Jewish people on the results of the San Remo conference, Governor Allen declared that the “civilized world will not condone the attempt to dishonor the Balfour Declaration.
“The closing of the door of Palestine to the Jewish people is the closing of the gates of hope to them. The bar of enlightened public opinion will pronounce judgment on such an act on the part of the present administration in Palestine in no uncertain terms. The Jewish people do not go to Palestine. They return to Palestine. Surely the tenacity, the endurance and the idealism manifested by the Jewish people throughout the many centuries of exile will again come into play at this moment of their national beratement.
“The movement symbolized by the leadership of such men as Dr. Chaim Weizmann, Felix M. Warburg, Albert Einstein and Lord Melchett, may be obstructed temporarily but not crushed. I extend my sympathy to Dr. Weizmann and to Mr. Warburg and through them to the Jewish people.”
Governor Allen said that it was with great regret that he received the news of the resignation of Dr. Weizmann. “It was my privilege to know Dr. Weizmann personally,” Governor Allen declared, “and I regard him as a friend. All liberty-loving people will sympathize with the motives that dictated the step taken by him.
“The Balfour Declaration is a solemn covenant. In reliance upon the pledge of Great Britain the Jewish people went to Palestine and with their sacrifices endeavored to restore the ancient land to its former glory. American Jewry has invested millions of dollars in reliance upon the good faith of England. The basis of the Palestine Mandate is the Balfour Declaration. The paramount object of the Balfour Declaration is the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
