That the plan of extending the Jewish Agency has not been abandoned, and that Dr. Weizmann is in full agreement with the American Zionist Executive with regard to the policy it pursues in connection with this question, was the statement made by Mr. Louis Lipsky, president of the Zionist Organization of America, at a luncheon given Thursday by the Zionist Organization to representatives of the Jewish press.
“There has been no abandonment of the plan to extend the Jewish Agency, hut we have come to the conclusion that the plan may have to be carried out on a different basis. Whatever we have said or done in this regard has been with the full knowledge and consent of Dr. Weizmann.” Mr. Lipsky declared.
“All rumors concerning disagreement between the American Zionist Organization and Dr. Weizmann are absolutely baseless. We consider him the strongest personality in the Zionist movement and the only man capable of commanding authority. What we are engaged in doing is to reorganize the Zionist center, to give to the general Zionists in the movement that position which they deserve, in order that Dr. Weizmann as president may be surrounded by efficient administrators and advisors. It is unfortunate that the discussions which have taken place in this connection have coincided with Mr. Jabotinsky’s stay in this country and that rumors were set afloat connecting Mr. Jabotinsky with these discussions.
“The Revisionists do not indicate a new direction for the Zionist movement to take. We are dealing with the realities of life and our program of action has to conform with the needs and possibilities of our movement. I can very well imagine that we could adopt one or two points emphasized by the Mizrachi, one or two points emphasized by the Revisionists. Even the demand for Jewish military units in view of recent events in Palestine may receive justification which until now it did not have. If, for example, it were proven tomorrow that the Kwutzoth will enable us to make Jewish settlers in Palestine self-sustaining, we would adopt this method despite the bourgeois views of many of the center group. I regret that the courtesies extended by us to Mr. Jabotinsky have in some quarters been construed as an endorsement of his program.”
Mr. Lipsky dwelt at length on the membership campaign which is to be inaugurated in connection with the “Zionist Organization month” and the plan of the Zionist Organization for entering into educational work.
“If we want to win the Jewish youth of this country, we must not be neglectful of educational work. We cannot leave this field to other groups in American Jewish life,” he said.
With an appeal to the newspapermen to support the Zionist Organization in its contemplated actions, Mr. Lipsky concluded his remarks.
In the discussion which developed later, several speakers voiced doubts as to the advisability of the Zionist Organization entering the field of educational work in America. This view was emphasized by Dr. A. Coralnick of “The Day.” Mr. S. Erdberg of the “Jewish Daily News” criticized the manner in which the committee sponsoring the educational movement was composed. Mr. David Edelsberg, Dr. I. L. Brill of the “Jewish Daily News,” S. Dingol, managing editor of “The Day,” Sophie Irene Locb, Dr. S. Melamed and L. Kusman participated in the discussion.
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