James W. Gerard, former ambassador to Germany, who published statements made in 1918 by Fiorello H. LaGuardia, mayorality candidate, purporting to reveal him as an anti-Zionist, was criticized by Mr. LaGuardia yesterday. In a statement the Fusion candidate said:
“The effort of Mr. Gerard to make me out as an opponent of Zionism is ridiculous.
“The statement quoted by Mr. Gerard shows on its face that I was seeking information on the subject at that time. When I got it I became an ardent supporter of the cause of Zionism and have been since 1920 as everybody knows who reads the newspapers.”
Mr. LaGuardia’s views on Zionism as quoted by Mr. Gerard follow in part:
“My views in general in regard to the efforts of the Jewish people to establish a national home in Palestine are:
“(a) That it is a mistake to do so. I heartily approve of the establishment of a Jewish center for education, religious and social betterment in every nation, but I feel strongly that it is a mistake to do so in any one center for the whole world.
“(b) The Jewish question is only one of religion. I believe in absolute liberty of worship, therefore the Jew is entitled to the fullest protection all over the world. I believe that a great deal of good is still to be worked out in this country among the Jews. It often happens in a new country that the youngest generation are inclined to forget all the good in the teachings of the Jewish religion and acquire all that is bad in the customs of their adopted country, and even some of the advanced or reformed Jewish leaders are inclined to depart or deviate somewhat from the close observance to the ancient teachings.”
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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.
