Storrs, Ex-governor of Jerusalem, Sees Bright Future for Palestine

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

“Regarding Palestine’s future, I am a convinced optimist.” This was the statement made by Ex-Governor Ronald Storrs of Jerusalem, at a reception tendered him by the Zionists in Manchester.

Speaking of the present economic depression in Palestine, Ex-Governor Storrs expressed the opinion that this was merely a temporary condition and that Palestine would soon recover. “There is now a momentary pause in the country,” he declared. “But Palestine will rise again soon. Regarding its future, I am a convinced optimist. I urge the Jews not to over-criticize the British officials who are doing their best to develop Palestine according to the Mandate,” Storrs stated, advising the Jews not to call the British officials anti-Semites because they are unabe to “deliver the goods” always.

“Palestine welfare institutions are rendering incalculable service to the whole country, Jews as well as non-Jews,” he said in the course of his address. “British and American Jews are working in the hospitals at infinitely lower salaries than they could easily command in England or America, if they chose. When I wanted cooperation I went to Jewish hospitals, and I was always satisfied.

“The Jews in Palestine are in the forefront not only in medical work but also in mathematics, engineering, agriculture and especially in chemistry. In the arts and the artistic crafts the Jews are practically alone. In sport the Maccabeans are building up a robust, formidable youth. And as for the financial development of the country, Palestine is mainly indebted to Jewish brains and enterprise,” he stated.

Congregation Rodeph Sholom, which for almost forty years has occupied the building at Sixty-third Street and Lexington Avenue, will hold its first service this morning at Mecca Temple, 130 West Fifty-sixth Street. The old temple structure has been sold and the congregation, headed by the Rev. Dr. Rudolph Grossman as rabbi, will move to new quarters.

In the meantime the activities of the congregation will be carried on in several places at once. Headquarters will be in the Mecca Temple Building. The religious school will meet in the building of the Robert Louis Stevenson School, 304 West Eighty-eighth Street. Other activities, such as settlement work, will also be conducted in temporary quarters pending the erection of a new temple building.

The Council of Jewish Women, Brooklyn Section, is making preparations for its twentieth anniversary luncheon, to be held at the Hotel St. George. October 26.