The colony of Miphal Arlosoroff, to be created in Palestine in memory of the late Zionist labor leader who met death at the hands of assassins near Tel Aviv six months ago, will cost approximately $100,000. The sum must be raised by the Zionists, and for this purpose, as well as for the purpose of evaluating the attitude of American Jewry with regard to Zionism itself, Joseph Sprinzak has come to the United States.
He is a small, vigorous man, ruddy and tanned and weather-beaten. The homespun clothing, his impressive mustachio, his bounding energy give the impression that Mr. Sprinzak is a man who cares little for the superficial things of life. He wears good health in the flash of his eye, the swift movement of his arm which he often raises to emphasize something he has said.
At the Hotel Pennsylvania, where the Ha-Poel Ha-Zair (Young Workers’ League) founder is staying to attend the three-day convention of the National Labor Committee, Mr. Sprinzak was interviewed. He replied to five or six questions submitted to him, with characteristic reserve, but it was always apparent that he is not afraid to express an opinion.
What is his mission in America? What indications are there of industrial progress in Palestine? What views does he hold regarding the Arab agitation? What can be done to improve Palestinian-American relations?
“I have come to learn what America thinks about Zionism, what American Jews who possess wealth and influence are doing toward the realization of the great Jewish hope, settlement of the national Jewish homeland. I want to do what I can to make America wake up to the necessity for action in behalf of the German-Jewish refugees.”
He has a deep voice. From Mr. Sprinzak’s room high in the Pennsylvania Hotel he gazed at the city’s skyscraper roofs. It is the first time he has seen them.
“In these days of great stress, both for the Jews as well as the world, we must act and act fast. It is a time when our people everywhere must unite and conceive plan of action that will establish haven of safety for the suffering and persecuted brethren.”
Of the Arab troubles, he said:
“The Arab demonstrations again### the Jewish immigration is entire### unjustified. There is no basis f### such trouble, since the government itself, as well as intelligent Arab realize that a boom in Palestine means that the Moslem as well ### Hebrew will derive the benefit.”
Mr. Sprinzak cautioned again too hasty evaluation of the situation in the Holy Land. It is a se###ous situation that must be handle with silk gloves, he pointed out. H### pleaded for support of America### Jewry, “the largest and perhaps mo### influential body of Jews in t### world”, for the projected action f### the German refugees.
Mr. Sprinzak has lived in ### Holy Land for twenty-five years. He is now general secretary of ### Palestine Labor party and a member of the World Zionist Executive and is in charge of the Department of Labor and Immigration for ### Palestine Zionist Executive.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
