Digest of Public Opinion on Jewish Matters

[The purpose of the Digest is informative. Preference is given to papers not generally accessible to our readers. Quotation does not indicate approval.–Editor.]

What is offered as the untold story of the Weizmann-Marshall exchange of letters which terminated the controversy in American Jewry, of the difficulties that were overcome before the documents were finally signed and of the men who aided in the successful consummation of this effort, is presented in the “Day” (Jan. 23) by Z. H. Rubinstein. The story is significant, Mr. Rubinstein declares, because it shows how Dr. Weizmann came to write his letter to Mr. Marshall, which has been criticized by some Zionists.

Several weeks ago, we are told, Dr. Weizmann invited a group of leading New York Jews, consisting of Israel Unterberg, Judge Rosalsky, Dr. Mordecai Kaplan, Samuel Rothenberg and Bernard Semel, to call on him. For five hours he spoke to them, explaining the facts in the situation and appealing for their cooperation in his effort to consummate the Jewish Agency plan. As an outcome of the conference this group undertook to help Dr. Weizmann and a meeting was called at once at the home of Mr. Unterberg, where two other. members were coopted, Harry Liebowitz and Albert Rosenblatt. Later Mr. S. C. Lamport joined the committee. Here Dr. Weizmann delivered another address, emphasizing the great importance of the Jewish Agency and the need of ending the unfortunate controversy that had arisen in American Jewry.

The mediators, the account continues, impressed by Dr. Weizmann’s plea, were prepared to exert every effort to assist him and decided on the following three points: First, to help establish the Jewish Agency; second, to help appoint an influential, important person as chairman of the Palestine campaign; and third, to create a businessmen’s council for the purpose of assisting the Zionist organization in its activities.

The committee of mediators then called on Mr. Marshall, stated their position and told him of their decisions. Mr. Marshall, the writer further tells us, listened very attentively and his answer was considered by the committee as an indication that peace would soon be at hand. Mr. Marshall promised to work out a modus vivendi for an understanding, but he added that peace must be made also with “the offended persons of his organization.” Mr. Marshall was alluding to David A. Brown, Mr. Rubinstein declares.

A telegram was despatched to Mr. Brown inviting him to come and his acceptance was wired back. Mr. Brown came to New York without delay.

It was then, Mr. Rubinstein asserts, that difficulties arose. Mr. Brown declared that the Zionists had offended him, that they placed obstacles in his path, that in certain cities he could not conduct his work because of Zionist influence. Mr. Brown, according to the account, was very excited and implacable.

It was finally decided by the committee, after arduous efforts to appease Mr. Brown, that he should write his own terms. But when Mr. Brown wrote his statement, it was found to be too sharp and the committee did not even present it to Dr. Weizmann. However, the committee itself prepared a new draft on the basis of the one written by Mr. Brown and with this document the committee again called on Dr. Weizmann. Before Dr. Weizmann read this letter, we learn further, he said to the committee: “Gentlemen, I want peace. Zion stands above all statements, above all petty politics. I desire peace and must have it. I will sign any statement which you gentlemen will ask me to.”

The writer explains that so far as the agreement on the Jewish Agency is concerned, Mr. Brown did not interfere, leaving it entirely to Mr. Marshall. But he insisted on an apology from Dr. Weizmann.

Numerous conferences and negotiations then followed, there were discussions about words and phrases, and at seven o’clock on Monday, Jan. 17, the evening of the Mecca Temple meeting, the exchange of letters had not yet been signed.

When Judge Rosalsky was on the platform in Mecca Temple, reading the letters of Dr. Weizmann and Mr. Marshall and delivering his address, we read in conclusion, Judge Lewis was still in Mr. Marshall’s home striking out words in the statement on the Jewish Agency. It was not before ten o’clock that Judge Lewis arrived at the meeting and handed the documents to Dr. Weizmann, who only then was presented and announced the agreement on the Jewish Agency.

“Neither Mr. Brown nor a number of those on the Zionist side are a hundred percent satisfied with the text of the peace letter. But now it must stand as it is, and it is well that it must,” Mr. Rubinstein observes.

Coatesville, Pa., has accepted a quota of $2,000 in the United Palestine Appeal.