Jewish Colonization Soon in Transjordan, Emanuel Neumann Predicts on Arrival Here

Stating that “it is inevitable that Transjordania will soon be opened for Jewish colonization”, Emanuel Neumann, American member of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Palestine, who arrived here Monday after spending a year in Jerusalem, described yesterday his view of the situation for Jews in the Near East.

Mr. Neumann expressed intense surprise over the murder of Dr. Arlosoroff. “I cannot understand the motives of such a murder”, he said. “Dr. Arlosoroff was beloved by all classes of the Jewish community in Palestine. He was also very friendly with the Arabs. I cannot imagine that this was a political murder.”

Explaining his negotiations abroad with the Emir Abdullah, ruler of Transjordania, Mr. Neumann asserted that “the Emir realizes the opportunities for his country that would be offered by an influx of Jewish capital and Jewish undertakings. He is therefore in favor of a sincere basis of understanding and cooperation between Jews and Arabs.”

Mr. Neumann described how Jewish refugees from Germany were flocking to Palestine. His statement follows:

“Over two thousand Jewish refugees from Germany have already reached Palestine and are getting themselves settled there. They are drawn from every stratum of society: laborers, skilled artisans, mechanics, professional people, manufacturers, students, artists, scientists, merchants. They are being warmly welcomed both by the Jewish community and by the government. It is generally recognized that they constitute a most valuable element which is bound to promote in a thousand ways the development of the Jewish National Home and the prosperity of Palestine as a whole. Their industry, thrift, technical equipment, and their sound approach to economic problems makes them an enormous asset for the country—far more precious than any amount of capital. There is every reason to believe that these two thousand are only the vanguard of a much larger number, perhaps fifty thousand or one hundred thousand, who will come to make their homes in Palestine. If these expectations are realized, the Hitlerist oppression in Germany may bring in its train the rapid industrialization of Palestine, which will rapidly forge ahead as a great center of civilization and culture in the middle East.

WORK TO MEET SITUATION

“The Executive of the Jewish Agency for Palestine, with the help and cooperation of the entire Jewish community there, have set to work promptly to meet the new situation. Our first step was to form a general committee representing all important groups and bodies, to centralize and coordinate all efforts. This committee functions under the auspices of the Jewish Agency. The next step was the launching of a campaign for funds—Palestine’s own modest contribution toward the great world fund. This is the first time that such a campaign is being conducted in Palestine and when I left there was every prospect that the quota of 20,000 pounds which the community had set would be realized. We have also organized three sub-committees to elaborate plans for receiving and absorbing German Jewish immigrants; one on agricultural settlement, one on urban settlement, and the third on education.

“Much work has already been done by these committees and as I have already indicated, the actual absorption of the refugees is already in progress.

“The Palestine government, while welcoming the newcomers, has been ultra-cautious in the matter of immigration permits. They have thus far underestimated the need and the possibilities. However, I have the personal assurance of the High Commissioner, Sir Arthur G. Wauchope, that the six month quota of 5,500 immigration permits which was granted would be increased before the six-month period was over if the world-wide efforts now being made by the Jewish people meets with success and means are secured with which to go forward with a broad colonization program.

“The Jewish Agency is keenly aware of its duties and responsibilities in this connection. We have mobilized our best forces and sinking all differences of party and faction have drafted all available people for the emergency. We are gratified by the response among those whom we have invited to serve on either the general world appeal or in other ways are:

“Dr. Chaim Weizmann, former president of the World Zionist Organization; Sir Herbert Samuel, former High Commissioner for Palestine; the London Rothschilds, the Marquis of Reading, Pinchas Rutenberg managing director of the Palestine Electric Corporation, and others.”