Peter Smidovitch, Vice-President of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics, in an interview he granted yesterday to the foreign correspondents in Moscow, expressed his satisfaction with the recent conclusion of the $10,000,000 agreement with the American Society for Jewish Farm Settlements in Russia, Inc., for the continuance of the Jewish colonization work in Russia.
“The new agreement will clarify the program of Jewish colonization in the Soviet Unions. It eliminate all elements of philanthropy, converting the work into a purely constructive proposition. The capital invested will be returned plus interest. It will now be possible to establish definitely where and how much land will be used for Jewish colonization in the next ten years. While the present allotments are inadequate the Soviet Government hopes that in time these allotments will be increased,” Mr. Smidovitch stated.
Mr. Smidovitch emphasized the fact that hitherto there has been complete accord between the Agro Joint, the Agency of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, carrying on the work, and the Soviet Government. He said he had the feeling that the same cordial relationship will continue in the future.
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