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.]

Satisfaction with the recently signed agreement between Weizmann and Marshall on the Jewish Agency is voiced by L. Lewite, a leading figure in Polish Jewry and president of the Zionist organization in Poland, who writes on the subject in the “Hajnt”, Jewish paper in Warsaw.

“The fact that the negotiations lasted several years,” Mr. Lewite writes, “is the best proof of the earnestness with which the groups involved viewed the question of the Jewish Agency and the responsibilities and consequences that would be implied in entering it.

“The possibilities of successful development and progress in the Palestine reconstruction work depend, in my opinion, on the extent of cooperation and co-responsibility of all living forces and elements in Jewish life which are to be drawn into the Agency but wich in different countries for various reasons have remained aloof from the Zionist organization. as a political party, despite the fact that they have had warm sympathies for the reconstruction of Palestine. To organize these forces and make them active — that is the most important task of the Zionist Organization.

“American Jewry, which for many years has fulfilled its noble duty toward the Jews of Eastern Europe, will now be obliged to rationally coordinate and enlarge its activities and its spirit of self sacrifice in accordance with the great responsibility which it is now assuming equally with the Zionists by entering the Agency. I have not the least doubt that the agreement will bring the most favorable results, and will inaugurate a new era of common effort on the part of all Jewry for the difficult task of rebuilding Palestine as the Jewish homeland.

“I know,” Mr. Lewite continues, “that the agreement and the cooperation in the Jewish Agency will no doubt cause. especially at first, various frictions and that the “rain of gold” which the impatient ones are expecting will not begin to flow into Palestine so soon, but I am convined, at any rate, that the cooperation of the two forees will be more fruitful and more successful for our cause than has been the case when we worked alone.”

“FINANCIAL TIMES” OF LONDON URGES BRITISH MANUFACTURERS TO GREATER SHARE IN PALESTINE BUSINESS

The rapid increase in the number of motor cars in Palestine and the general economic developments in the country within recent times are the subject of comment by the “Financial Times” of London. Commenting on the report on Palestine issued by the Departiment of Trades of the British Government, the paper writes:

“One of the most striking paragraphs in this report deals with the growth of motor transport in Palestine. The idea of motor cars, touring buses, lorries and motorcycles in the Holy Land seems incongruous, but nevertheless they exist and, like the flocks of old, are multiplying rapidly. British manufacturers however, should take serious notice of what happened in 1925, During the year 805 motor cars were imported into Palestine, of which number only four were from Great Britain. This is preposterous.” The paper proceeds:

“There are six hundred kilometers of metalled roads in Palestine and further roadworks are progressing, so expanding the field for cars possessing the average degree of endurance and reliability. We are confident that once the smallness of this figure is realized, British manufacturers will be eager to eftect a suubstantial improvement.”

Regarding the general economic situation in Palestine today, the paper adds: “Of the total capital brought in by the large number of immigrants over two million pounds was invested in 1925 in buildings to accomodate the new settlers, principally in Tel Aviv. The country’s requirements were increased considerably, especially for food stuffs, machinery and clothing.

“Immobilization of capital in building operations and land purchases caused a shortage in capital, resulting in a depression in trade which still continues. Several bankruptcies occurred, but their liabilities were relatively small. The urban population, especially in Tel-Aviv is suffering most, but we hope the depression is only temporary. The adverse balance of trade is unsatisfactory but not alarming.

“The cooperative movement is spreading chiefly among Jews. Great Britain holds first place in exports to Palestine, the United States holds fourth place. Palestine is essentially an agricultural country and industries have been developing only recently. The electric power supply created by the Ruttenberg Works is stimulating the growth of industries. There are 30,000 Jewish workers in Palestine and 24,000 trade unionists, Several hundred Arabs be long to the Jewish Labor Federation. From January, 1922, to June, 1926, 24,289 workers, mostly Jews, entered Palestine. The wages of Jewish laborers have decreased during the last eight months by 25 per cent.”

“S. A. J. REVIEW” ON THE “BULLETIN”

The influence of the “Jewish Daily Bulletin” as a factor in preserving the Jewish atmosphere in the home, is emphasized editorially by the “S. A. J. Review,” organ of the Society for the Advancement of Judaism of which Dr. Mordecai Kaplan is president. Says the paper, in its Feb. 11 issue:

“The Jewish Daily Bulletin’ brings the Jew in daily contact with Jewish life in every part of the world. There is nothing so calculated to develop an interest in Jewry, to foster a sense of intimacy with Jewish life, as this daily record of Jewish news. It mirrors all phases of Jewish life impartially. As an educational force, its value is inestimable. Parents who receive such a buletin, who discuss the news items with their children, who manifest an interest in what is happening to Jews throughout the world, can create a Jewish atmosphere in the home which is bound to react favorably upon the attitude of our children towards Jewish life.

” The Jewish Daily Bulletin’ has no comic strips, no scandals, no poetry, no romantic fiction, and yet it holds the interest of the reader. For it portrays the living drama of Jewish life wherever it is lived. No Jewish home should be without a ‘Jewish Daily Bulletin.”