Glad He Helped Jews Return to Palestine, Lord Allenby Tells Canadian Zionists

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

Lord Allenby received here today a delegation of the Zionist Federation of Canada, composed of A. J. Freiman, Louis Fitch, A. Levine, Lyon Cohen, H. Wolofsky, Rabbi J. L. Zlotnick, Rabbi Abramowitz, Rabbi Berger and Rabbi Samuels.

Mr. Freiman, president of the Canadian Zionist Organization, welcomed Lord Allenby on behalf of Canadian Jewry. Mr. Louis Fitch, vice-president, presented the distinguished guest with an address in which was pointed out his achievement and the appreciation of the Jewish people for the conquering of Palestine by Lord Allenby.

“During the war it was given to me to take charge of what was apparently a side issue in the war,” Lord Allenby stated. “Each one of us should be satisfied with his role in the construction of an edifice. What is important, is not the laying of any particular stone, as long as each stone is well and truly laid. I, for myself, felt that I had my reward knowing that I laid my stone well and truly but my reward is increased by your presence and kind remarks. The entry of Britain in the war was based on the principle of justice and freedom to all and on the day when I entered through the gate of Jaffa into Jerusalem I issued a proclamation to the inhabitants to the effect that each one should continue his occupation as in peace time and from that day to this no obstacle has been placed towards the upbuilding of the country and to the participation by all of justice and liberty.

“I was in Jerusalem last May when Lord Balfour opened the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus and there I heard Lord Balfour repeating the Balfour Declaration, that Palestine was to become a homeland for the Jewish people. I noticed on the occasion of that visit the remarkable progress that the country has made since 1919. In 1918 I was in Tel-Aviv. It then had a population of three to four hundred, whereas now it has a population of over thirty thousand. When I was there last May, I was entertained at a tea on the same spot which in 1918 was surrounded by sand dunes and which now is in the midst of a street as large and as nice as any in this city.

“The influx of the Jews in the country was considerable. Of all I have seen and I have heard the new Jewish immigrants are proving themselves to be very capable and fit to do pioneer work to reinhabit the uninhabited places in Palestine. The self denial of the Jewish pioneers is sufficient assurance that the progress of the country will continue and will in a short time restore to the country the prosperity that did exist in the days of King Solomon. This prosperity will be shared by all the inhabitants, the Jews, Arabs and Christians and any little friction which may have existed is dying out and will be replaced by amity and friendship and they will work shoulder to shoulder.

“You know as well as I do that Great Britain will never go back on its promise to fulfill the Balfour Declaration and helping the Jewish people build a home in Palestine. At the opening of the University last year I met Dr. Weizmann and other Zionist leaders and was pleased at the great progress that the Zionists are making.

“I am glad to have played my part and that it was my happy lot to help your people return to their ancient country after centuries of suffering.”