Noted Statesmen Join Jewish Agency Plea for Palestine As Refuge for German Jews

An appeal to the Jews of the world to rally in support of establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine in order to provide a refuge for the Jews of Germany was issued here today by the Jewish Agency for Palestine, the body recognized under the terms of the Palestine mandate as the official Jewish instrument in settlement of Palestine.

Among the signatories to the appeal are David Lloyd George and General Jan Smuts, South African leader, who together with the late Lord Balfour were responsible for issuance of the Balfour Declaration pledging Great Britain to aid in the establishment of a Jewish National Home in Palestine, and Lord Robert Cecil, noted British statesman.

The other signers of the appeal are Sir Herbert Samuel, first British High Commissioner of Palestine Nahum Sokolow, president of the Jewish Agency; Dr. Chaim Weizmann, former president of the Jewish Agency, who is organizing the world appeal; Felix M. Warburg, American Jewish banker and philanthropist; Dr. Cyrus Adler, president of the American Jewish Committee, and Morris Rothenberg, president of the Zionist Organization of America.

The appeal points to the need to care for the Jews of Germany, the value of linking up “the greater abilities of the German Jews who held so eminent a place among the Jewries of the world for many centuries” in the rebuilding of a national home, and declares that the absorptive capacities of Palestine can be extended to care for large numbers.

IMPORTANCE OF SIGNATURES

The importance of the signatures of Mr. Lloyd George, General Smuts and Lord Cecil was emphasized today by Leo Hermann, general secretary of the Keren Hayesod (Palestine Foundation Fund) who has been in London for several weeks engaged in preparation of the appeal and organization of the Palestine fund.

The fact that these distinguished statesmen accepted the invitation of Dr. Weizmann to sign the appeal to the Jews of all countries “as friends of the Jewish people and the Jewish National Home” is considered of great significance, Mr. Hermann said, and adds proof of their attachment to the Jewish cause. Sir Herbert’s signature lends weight, not only as that of a great Jewish leader, but also as that of an outstanding British statesman.

The Jewish Agency appeal is already functioning in several countries, Mr. Hermann reported. In England and Czechoslovakia united appeals have been issued with the consent of the Jewish Agency and the Keren Hayesod. In these, agreements have been reached regarding the relief of German Jews generally and the settlement of German Jews in Palestine, and the duties involved will be carried out jointly. Where appeals have been issued jointly with relief agencies no collections will be made for the Jewish Agency.

INDEPENDENT APPEAL HERE

In the United States, however, he pointed out, the appeal is being issued independently and apart from that of several other bodies seeking relief funds. Money raised in America by the Jewish Agency will therefore be applied exclusively for constructive help for the German Jews in Palestine.

“It is the first time that I signed an appeal for funds,” Sir Herbert Samuel told Mr. Hermann, referring to his signing of the world appeal of the Jewish Agency. “I felt that the situation created for the German Jews and Jewry at large, as well as for Palestine, is extraordinary, calling for extraordinary measures.

“I am particularly interested in the plight of the German Jewish intellectuals,” Sir Herbert said. He expressed the hope that a considerable amount of the funds raised would become available for the Hebrew University and would provide new avenues of research.

TEXT OF APPEAL

The full text of the appeal follows:

“Jews throughout the world have been deeply moved by the tragic fate which has befallen their brethren in Germany. Their feelings have found spontaneous expression in the immediate organization of relief work both for the refugees in neighboring countries and for those who remain in Germany.

“Thousands of German Jews, especially among the young, see a prospect of restarting their lives in Palestine to which some of them have already made their way.

“Palestine shows a steady development both in agriculture and in industry. Its power of absorption is increasing and can be further increased. Determined, concerted Jewish effort can make it capable of providing a permanent home for a considerable part of German Jewry to whom the rest of the world, with few exceptions, is closed.

“As representatives of the Jewish Agency, constituted under the authority of the League of Nations by virtue of the Palestine Mandate, and recognized by the Mandatory Power, and as friends of the Jewish people and the Jewish National Home in Palestine, we appeal to all Jewish communities to take part in creating a Palestine fund for the Jews of Germany.

“It is earnestly hoped that fundraising committees will begin their work without delay. Receipts of the fund will be applied, in cooperation with the existing financial institutions of the Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency, the Keren Hayesod (Palestine Foundation Fund) and the Keren Kayemeth (Jewish National Fund), to purchasing land for the settlement of German Jews, assisting industrial undertakings and artisans, furnishing credits, supporting private enterprise of persons with means, encouraging settlement of the land by chalutzim (pioneers) and generally facilitating their transition to new occupations.

“An effort will be made to provide Jewish scholars and scientists who had to abandon their studies in Germany with facilities for continuing them in Palestine under the auspices of the Hebrew University, the Agricultural Experimental Station, the Haifa Technikum and other institutions of higher learning.

“The greater abilities of the German Jews, who held so eminent a place among the Jewries of the world for many centuries must be linked up with all the creative forces of the Jewish people in the reconstruction of the Jewish National Home. To assist them in establishing for themselves in Palestine a new existence, in freedom and honor, is a great, humane task.

“Collections for the Palestine Fund for German Jews under the auspices of the Jewish Agency have already been launched in Palestine with the collaboration of all sections of the Jewish population. We appeal to the Jews of all countries to emulate this example by service and sacrifice on a scale commensurate with the great emergency.”