State Dept. Replies to U.S. Editor’s Complaint of Lack of Protection

The State Department has received the protest of Dr. S. Margoshes, editor of “The Day,” New York Yiddish daily, who is now in Palestine, through Z. H. Rubenstein, city editor, against the alleged failure of Consul General Knabenshue to afford proper protection to American citizens in Palestine.

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency correspondent learns that the Department, in reply, will state that Dr. Margoshes’ complaint is too vague to enable the Department to determine the grounds for the alleged lack of cooperation by the Consul.

According to information obtained from the Department, Dr. Margoshes claims that a delegation of American citizens asked Consul Knabenshue for protection and that he gave an evasive reply. Also, that citizens had to sleep on the bare stone yard of the Consulate. The date of the occurrence, a specific description, including the nature of the protection requested, is missing, according to the Department, and in the absence of this, it is impossible for the Department to take any action regarding the complaint.

It is further understood that the Department, in its reply to Mr. Rubenstein, will refer to the possibility that Dr. Margoshes might have had in mind the call at the Consulate of a group of American citizens from Rehavia on Saturday, August 24, asking for protection. Consul Knabenshue, according to the Department, informed this group that he would gladly give them shelter in the Consulate, but that the Consulate had no food or bedding and therefore suggested that they return with their own food and bedding. The group returned later without either and consequently were obliged to sleep on the floor over night. The Consulate, however, furnished the only facilities at its disposal, namely benches and chairs.