Report Brandeis Memorandum to Be Withdrawn from Z.O.A. Convention and Plan for Coalition Body, with

Just before the Bulletin goes to press a dispatch from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency’s correspondent covering the Zionist convention reports, on the basis of reliable information, that the Brandeis-Mack memorandum, which was to have been submitted today for the discussion of the delegates attending the 33rd annual convention, will be withdrawn and replaced by a plan that calls for the creation of a coalition committee of five or seven.

This committee, on which the Brandeis-Mack group would have a majority, would conduct the affairs of the Zionist Organization of America until permanent plans could be adopted, provided the new plan is accepted. Although at the present time nothing definite had yet been agreed upon, both sides, representatives of which have been in constant session since last night, are reported to be extremely hopeful.

The Brandeis-Mack Memorandum, which outlines the proposals and conditions under which this group is prepared to resume active participation in the affairs of the Zionist Organization of America, was to have been presented for the discussion of the convention at this morning’s session, but because of the new developments which are being negotiated in private committee sessions, has been put off until this afternoon’s or this evening’s plenary session.

The Brandeis-Mack proposals as originally submitted to a committee of the Zionist Organization, and which are now likely to be changed, called for a committee of nine neutrals to take charge of the organization and reorganize its control, management and finances. The committee, according to the plan would be elected by this convention for six months with power to extend its life for another two years.

Keen disappointment over England’s failure to carry out the spirit and letter of the Palestine Mandate and a determination to augment the forces of the Zionist Organization of America were the keynotes of the opening session of the convention yesterday with upwards of 2,000 delegates and visitors applauding every oratorical shaft aimed by the speakers at the British government.

SCORE STEPHEN WISE

Though his name was not mentioned, Rabbi Stephen S. Wise was roundly scored for a statement issued Saturday in New York in which he was reported to have spoken of the Zionist Organization of America as “morally and spiritually bankrupt.” After greeting the convention on behalf of the Ohio State Zionists, Rabbi Barnett Brickner, referring to Rabbi Wise’s statement, wondered whether “that dear friend of ours has had an aberration of mind or lapse of memory” and added that Rabbi Wise “should have been on this platform where he belongs against his own judgment.”

The opening session of the convention was completely overshadowed by Rabbi Wise’s statement in which he came out for the Brandeis-Mack memorandum. While Rabbi Brickner was speaking he was interrupted by James Waterman Wise, son of Rabbi Wise, who sought to point out that his father had referred only to the present Zionist administration and not to the entire organization. Confusion was caused for a while until those sitting near Mr. Wise could get him to sit down.

Though the atmosphere was charged with the Brandeis-Mack memorandum and everywhere it was the subject of discussion there was no mention made of it at the initial session, although all speakers alike emphasized the importance of a united front.

REFORM RABBIS TURN TO ZIONISM

The convention was opened by Ezra Shapiro, chairman of the local Zionist region, who admonished the delegates “not to dabble in petty differences.” In his address, Rabbi Brickner told of the inroads Jewish nationalism has made in the ranks of the Reform rabbinate. Louis Lipsky, introduced as a “prince in American Israel,” was given a rousing ovation which ended with the entire audience singing Hatikvah.

LIPSKY ATTACKS BRITAIN

In his presidential message, Mr. Lipsky charged that Great Britain has shown an utter incapacity to administer the Mandate over Palestine, thus compelling the Jews of the world to turn to the League of Nations with the demand that justice be done.

Referring to the recent suspension of Jewish immigration into Palestine, which has aroused the indignation of world Jewry, Mr. Lipsky declared that “there will be no diminution of that protest until the order to suspend immigration is revoked, until the latest White Paper is supplanted by a program calculated to carry into effect the letter and spirit of the Mandate. The right accorded to the Jewish people under the Mandate cannot be withdrawn or temporarily suspended for the purpose of suiting the convenience of the Mandatory Government. A trust remains a trust, no matter how difficult it may be to execute it, and so long as England holds the Mandate, profits by its presence in Palestine, so long will the world expect England to keep its pledge and to discharge its trust regardless of the difficulties.”

Pointing to the coalition of Jewish forces in Palestine which resulted after the August riots, Mr. Lipsky said that “it is the sincere hope of every Zionist present that as a result of our deliberations here there shall be created a union of all forces, a coalition of all our strength in order that the maximum of service to our cause may be achieved.”

The convention then elected Louis Lipsky, Judge William Lewis, Rabbi James Heller, Abraham Goldberg, Max Shulman and Mrs. Robert Szold as session chairmen. Menahem Ribalov was appointed Hebrew secretary, Bernard Shelvin, Yiddish secretary and Bernard G. Richards, English secretary of the convention.

HOOVER SENDS MESSAGE

President Hoover addressed the following message to the convention through William R. Hopkins, former city manager of Cleveland:

“Please extend my cordial greetings to the convention of the Zionist Organization of America and my deep appreciation of their service to the spiritual life of the Jewish race. I have followed with deep interest the occurrences of the last year in Palestine and I wish to assure the convention not only of my sympathy with them in their problem but of my hope that the discouragements of the moment will be presently removed and the work of advancing Jewish aspirations go forward to even greater success”.

Messages were also received from Dr. Chaim Weizmann who expressed the hope that the American Zionists would present a united front, from the Zionist Executive, from M. M. Ussishkin of the Jewish National Fund and from the American Association of Palestine Settlers.