The House of Representatives today overwhelmigly passed the Palestine resolution by voice vote, with only a few nays, after an hour and a half debate. The resolution is identical with the Wagner-Taft resolution sdopted two days ago by the Senate.
A last minute move by Rep. James Wadsworth, Republican of New York, to recommit the resolution to the Foreign Affairs Committee, was defeated by a vote of 133-36. Wadsworth had previously expressed great fear, during the debate, that the passage of the resolution might cause a wave of anti-Semitism, which he deplored.
The resolution was supported in speeches by Rep. John W. McCormack, majority leader and Rep. Joseph W. Martin, minority leader, both of Massachusetts; Rep. Daniel flood of Pennsylvania, author of the resolution; Rep Herman P. Eberbarter, also of Femsylvania; Rep. Edith Nourse Rogers, Republican of Massachusetts; Rep. Clare Booth Luce, Republican of Connecticut; and Rep. Sol Bloom and Emanuel Celler, Democrats of New York, Opposing it were Reps. Victor Wickersham of Oklahoma, Smith of New Jersey and killer of Nebraska.
COGNIZANCE TAKEN OF ANGLO-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON PALESTINE
A report on the Palestine resolution submitted to the House by the Foreign Affairs Committee, which had unanimously adopted the measure yesterday, said that cognizance had been taken of the appointment of the Joint Anglo-American Committee on Palestine. The report commended the President for his interest in the matter, but expressed the opinion “that it is appropriate and timely for Congress to give expression to its view on the need for the restoration of Palestine as the Jewish National Homeland.”
The resolution, the report stated, “reflects a long series of authoritative expressions of American policy and the views of the American people on the subject of Palestine.” It pointed out that passage of the resolution would provide opportunity for Congress “to express itself forthrightly on the herrible plight of the Jews of Europe.”
“The need for a Jewish homeland where the Jewish survivors of persecution can live and breathe as free men and women and where they can establish a free and democratic commonwealth is greater than ever,” the report said. “Your committee feels, therefore, that the time is at hand when the long standing pledges to the Jewish people should be fulfilled.”
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