The creation of a Jewish National Homeland in Palestine is a British aim, the fulfilment of which Britain has pledged, declared the Marquess of Reading, in an interview with a representative of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency upon his arrival in this country on Friday aboard the S.S. Aquitania.
The eminent Jewish statesman of Great Britain, accompanied by the Marchioness of Reading, has come to this country at the invitation of the English Speaking Union. He will address the American Bar Association and will attend the ceremonies attendant upon the laying of the corner stone of the new Supreme Court building in Washington.
“Great Britain has pledged itself to establish a Jewish National Home in Palestine,” Lord Reading said. “It is its duty and aim to realize this pledge to the Jewish people. I, personally, am convinced that the British Government, no matter which party comprises it, Conservative, Liberal or Labor, will fulfil the promises made to the Jews by the Balfour Declaration.”
The Marquess of Reading visited Palestine last summer and when asked his impression of the country, spoke with enthusiasm of Jewish achievements there. Palestine, he stated, is the only country which suffered proportionately little because of the world depression. Investments of capital in Palestine by Jews abroad are both solvent and profitable, according to Lord Reading.
Asked his view concerning the possible effect upon the peace of Europe and the situation of the Jews in Germany a Hitlerite government might have the former Indian Viceroy and British Parliament Secretary was noncommittal. “We will deal with these problems when they arise. Why talk about that now?”
Lord Reading’s present visit to the United States is his first since 1919 when he resigned as British Ambassador to the United States. He will remain in this country for one month. While he stated that his visit is divorced from politics, he will in all probability confer with a number of statesmen and may visit the President.
The Marquess and Marchioness of Reading were greeted at the pier by John W. Davis and Thomas P. Lamont.
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