Says Europe’s Non-zionists Need U.S. Example for Cooperation in Jewish Agency

The enlistment of the cooperation of European non-Zionists will be a more difficult and longer process than in the United States, was the view expressed by Jean Fischer, president of the Zionist Federation of Belgium, veteran Zionist leader of Belgium, who sailed on the steamer Aquitania following a visit here.

In an interview with the representative of the Jewish Daily Bulletin, Mr. Fischer, one of the early associates of Theodor Herzl and a well-known representative of political Zionism, expressed his concurrence in the Jewish Agency extension idea, which he stated was not new, as Dr. Herzl had attempted to do the same thing along the same lines when he approached Baron de Hirsch, Jacob H. Schiff and Rothschild.

“I am more concerned with the attitude of the non-Zionist circles in Europe than the non-Zionists in the United States,” said Mr. Fischer. “The European non-Zionists have not yet acquired that tolerance, that broadness of viewpoint which the non-Zionist leaders in the United States possess. The effort to organize the non-Zionists in various European countries in behalf of the Agency will meet with difficulties. I do not expect that the Agency will come into being before the year 1929 has passed. Despite the many handicaps this undertaking is faced with, I sincerely hope it will turn out to be successful and will unify all Jewish forces for the great work of upbuilding our homeland.

“Had we Zionists succeeded in attracting a sufficient number of Jews for the upbuilding of Palestine and had we employed in Palestine effective methods for the colonization of the country, it would not have been necessary to enter into the Agency under the present terms. As we did not sufficiently succeed in these two directions, as we have not been able to attract within the Zionist Organization sufficient funds and great organizers and builders, there is today no doubt in my mind that the Zionist Organization must proceed with the Agency.

“The Agency is not a new idea. Already Theodor Herzl was working on the same lines when he approached Baron Hirsen, Rothschild and Jacob H. Schiff. The Agency is the first attempt to unite Jewry. The fact that Palestine is the basis for this unity is very gratifying. The opposition to the Agency ought to recognize that the decision of the Zionist Congress regarding the Agency must be obeyed-otherwise the Zionist Organization would cease to be taken seriously in any future attempt to interest non-Zionist forces in this work. I deplore the fifty-fifty arrangement. The decisions of the Agency should be taken on the basis of argument and the merits of the issues involved, not according to a division between the Zionists and non-Zionists. I (Continued on Page 4)

believe the non-Zionists should have a determining influence with regard to the future work in Palestine. I am convinced that they are in a position to make not only a contribution of money but also their vast experience in organizing and administering our work in Palestine. This Agency, in order to be a success, must be entered into with mutual confidence, in a spirit of friendliness and helpfulness.

“Unquestionably those who, against the opposition of the world, carried the burden until now and maintained the Zionist ideal, must remain in the fore-front.

“More than ever will it be the task of the Zionists to strengthen the organization and assert, by intensification of their propaganda and loyal adherence to their principle, that predominating influence in the Agency which should be theirs.”