The House Foreign Affairs Committee today approved the Compton-Wright Resolution on Palestine. The bill as amended provides that, “The United States use its good offices to the end that the doors of Palestine shall be opened for free entry of Jews into that country and that there shall be full opportunity for colonizations so that the Jewish people may ultimately reconstitute Palestine as a free and democratic commonwealth.”
Taken out of the bill was a phrase declaring that the United States should “take appropriate measures” to ensure the opening of the doors of Palestine and the term “Jewish” as a description of the “free and democratic commonwealth.” Both amendments were termed “insignificant” by sponsors, who hailed the committee’s decision to take the Palestine resolution from the pigeon-hole in which it was placed last May after military advice to “postpone action for the time being.”
In the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today, Palestine resolutions introduced by Senators Wagner and Taft were brought up for reconsideration, but it was decided to postpone action until the next meeting of the committee one week from today.
Rep. Sol Bloom, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said “I shall make every effort to see that the bill is passed on the floor of the House during this session.” The bill must get a ruling from the Rules Committee before it can be considered on the House floor, but Reps. Wright and Compton, co-sponsors, both declared they anticipated no difficulty in getting a rule. “I don’t see any reason why it can’t be passed this session before adjournment,” Wright said, “It’s a matter of keeping faith with the campaign promises made by both parties.” Compton said, “We hope that were going to get favorable action by this 78th Congress.”
SILVER HAILS APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION; SAYS IT REFLECTS U.S. SENTIMENT
Dr. Abba Hillel Silver, Chairman of the executive Committee of the American Zionist Emergency Council, in a statement issued here, hailed the approval of the resolution. “I am delighted,” he declared, “with this action which reflects the over whelming sentiment of the American people who have time and time again manifested their profound interest and sympathy in the upbuilding of Palestine by the Jewish people.
“This action climaxes a series of historic pronouncements made during this year by the national conventions of both major political parties and by their standard bearers. Most significant was the declaration made on October 15th by the President of the United States, in which he said that the American people give their support to the establishment of Palestine as a free and democratic Jewish Commonwealth, and that he would help to bring about its realization.
“This action,” Dr. Silver continued, “will greatly hearten the hundreds of thousands of Jewish refugees throughout the world, who are looking towards Palestine as their sole hope of re-establishing themselves in freedom and dignity. It will strengthen the hands of those who at tremendous sacrifices have been pioneering in the rebuilding of the Jewish National Home.”
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