Funds for Jewish Colonization in Russia Reduced, Charkoff Conference of Colonization Workers Hears

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

The sums originally allotted by the Joint Distribution Committee for settling Jews on the land in Russia were reduced, Dr. Joseph Rosen, head of the Agrojoint, the agency of the Joint Distribution Committee in Soviet Russia, declared in an address delivered at a conference of the Ozet, the Jewish society for settling Jews on the land, held in Charkoff.

“I will be the happiest man on earth when you will say, ‘We don’t need your help any more,’ ” Dr. Rosen declared.

Admitting that the sum for the colonization work in Russia was reduced under Zionist pressure, Dr. Rosen stated that the colonization work in Russia has, nevertheless, many friends among Zionists in Russia and abroad. He sharply protested against the spreading of calumnies against the colonization.

“The Ozet, however, must beware of turning the society into a battlefield against the Zionists. Beat your opponents with the facts. The cooler you act, the greater the effect, ” Dr. Rosen stated.

M. Merezhin, leader of the Ozet, replying to Dr. Rosen declared that “Nobody wants to turn the Ozet into a battlefield against the Zionists. However, when we are asked by the masses who it is who hinders the colonization work and why the number of settlers on the land this year was reduced from 10,000 to 4,000, we are obliged to tell the truth.”

Mr. Merezhin bitterly attacked Sokolow, Jabotinsky and Bialik for carrying on propaganda in America against the colonization work. He accused them of portraying only the dark side of Russian life and withholding everything favorable.