Nahum Sokolow, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the World Zionist Organization, and Chairman of the Committee of Jewish Delegations in Paris, today made the following statement on the death of Woodrow Wilson to the London correspondent of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency:
“The Jewish people lost in the death of Woodrow Wilson a sincere friend, humanist who always did his best to alleviate Jewish sufferings in the Diaspora and to re-establish Palestine as a nation During the war and after he showed an understanding of the Jewish cause and in accordance with his democratic principles supported every measure favorably affecting the Jewish position. There was no question of receiving anything from the Jews in exchange, no political scheming, simply good-will toward an oppressed people. Three important achievements: the complete emancipation of Jews in certain countries of Eastern Europe, minority rights for Jewish minorities and the establishment of the Jewish National Home in Palestine, are undoubtedly largely due to the support of America, and primarily Mr. Wilson. During the Peace Conference, Mr. Wilson used his influence to prevent Jewish expulsions in certain countries as an example of which might be cited the incident in Vienna when I interviewed Secretary Polk in Paris. Mr. Polk immediately instructed the American Consullar Agency in Vienna, declaring it would be unnecessary for him to inquire of Washington because Mr. Wilson would act similarly.
“Mr. Wilson’s Government sent Henry Morgenthau to Poland, a new procedure in international relations. In recent Jewish history Mr. Wilson is the outstanding figure, one of the few great statesmen, showing a sincere friendliness for the Jews. Mr. Wilson’s idea of a Covenant of the Peoples of the World was inspired by the Bible. He was compelled to abandon some of his ideals, but he influenced the victorious nations in their hour of triumph to be moderate and to show an understanding of the defeated countries.
“Mr. Wilson’s service to humanity was not only in the creation of the League of Nations, but also in the prevention of a bad treaty. The idea of mandates responsible to the League of Nations emanated from Mr. Wilson.
“The Jews of the world mourn with the American people the loss of this great statement whose ideas helped towards the emancipation of the Jews.
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