Extension of Jewish Agency May Be Effected This Fall, Lipsky States on Return from London

The opinion that the extension of the Jewish Agency, with the participation of American non-Zionists, may be accomplished this fall when Dr. Weizmann will visit the United States, and the hope that the Palestine government will soon accelerate its work and proceed from a passive, judicial viewpoint to active assistance in the upbuilding of the Jewish national home in Palestine were expressed by Louis Lipsky, chairman of the Zionist Organization of America, when interviewed yesterday by a representative of the “Jewish Daily Bulletin” on his return from London where he conferred with Dr. Weizmann and other members of the Zionist Executive.

“I found the Zionist situation in London hopeful, in spite of the economic difficulties that prevail in Palestine today,” Mr. Lipsky said. “The political situation is improving. The economic facts created by the Zionist Organization in Palestine grow, in quantity and quality, from day to day. They present to the Mandatory Government a situation that must, sooner or later, provoke on its part an active cooperation in the building of the Jewish National Home. Government in Palestine, that regards Zionist achievements as matters merely to be judicially considered, and that believes these achievements impose no obligation of active participation, becomes more and more an anachronism in the revival of Palestine. The Zionist Executive have been persistent in placing the claims of the Jewish National Home before the Government. Their efforts to convince Government of the justice of our complaints, with regard to crown lands, to tariffs, to the support of Hebrew education, are beginning to bear fruit. Things move slowly however, in Governmental circles, and patience becomes increasingly a difficult virtue to exercise. The trouble is really that the tempo of Zionist activities disturbs a Governmental administration that normally does not like to be disturbed. However, we have no doubt that the pressure of our efforts will soon force an acceleration of the pace of the Government,” he said.

“It is queer that the economic crisis in Palestine is of such a nature that it could have been avoided with an additional £50,000 sent to Palestine in excess of the actual income of the Keren Hayesod. But that is the bare fact. Had we possessed that amount, over and above what we actually did receive, and thrown it into Palestine before the crisis broke, for necessary public works and general improvements, there would today be no unemployment,” Mr. Lipsky declared. “The lack of funds was due, in large measure, to the falling off of receipts from Poland and other European countries. It will be the responsibility of American Jewry next year to make good the probable defaults of European Jewry with relation to their Palestine responsibilities.

“A number of important changes have been made in London. The Keren Hayesod Central Bureau is being removed to Palestine. It is the intention to transfer the Haolam, the Hebrew weekly issued by the Executive, also to Palestine. The center in London for political and financial enterprises will be strengthened. The Organization Department will remain there. This transfer to Palestine of all Zionist financial institutions that depend for their propaganda upon the work accomplished in Palestine, will undoubtedly have a healthy effect upon Zionist public opinion.

“I found Dr. Weizmann in a very good mood, full of energy and ideas. He looks forward to coming to the United States, in October, with a great deal of interest and enthusiasm. He believes that he will be able to carry out the resolution of the Vienna Congress with regard to the extension of the Jewish Agency, in spite of the fact that there are many voices that do not share his confidence. One thing is certain, however, that the burden of maintaining and extending our operations in Palestine will require, on the part of American Jewry, much larger sacrifices than they have ever made before. If it will be possible, through the extension of the Jewish Agency, to secure that support for Palestine, confidence in the project will undoubtedly be renewed,” he stated.